Exarch of Phanar: Ukraine's denominations drifted further apart after Tomos
The exarch of the Phanar, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana. Photo: a screenshot of the YouTube channel "Spiritual Front"
The exarch of the Phanar, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana in an interview with the resource "Spiritual Front" said that Orthodox denominations of Ukraine only distanced from one another after the Tomos was granted.
"Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Orthodox jurisdictions have become further apart, especially at this time during the war," the exarch said and added that "one can only guess" why this is happening.
At the same time, the exarch assured that the Phanar gave the Tomos to "absolutely all the Orthodox of Ukraine to unite all in one local Church", and it is not his fault that the UOC did not "recognise" this.
According to the bishop, after the granting of the Tomos, now "the questions are already to the local figures, how open and ready for mutual understanding they are."
The exarch refused to comment on the actions of the authorities concerning the UOC, "because the state as a monopolist in this matter surely has more detailed information".
As earlier reported, a Phanar priest appealed to the exarch in Kyiv to respond to the persecution against the UOC. The latter remained silent.
Read also
Dumenko: Russian shelling only underscores the “canonical” status of the OCU
Serhiy Dumenko assured that the OCU “opposes discord by seeking accord, peace, and unity.”
Venezuela’s opposition leader hands Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal
During talks at the White House, Venezuela’s opposition leader presented the U.S. president with the Nobel Peace Prize medal she received for her struggle against the regime in Caracas.
New UOC church of St. Basil the Great consecrated in Krasnoilsk, Bukovyna
The rite of consecration and the festive service were led by Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.
New men’s monastery founded in UOC's Oleksandriia Eparchy
The Holy Transfiguration monastery will become a center of prayer and spiritual care in the region.
European Parliament honors memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
For the first time, the European Parliament hosted an event dedicated to the life and works of the late Primate of the Albanian Church.
UN seeks to include abortion and gender ideology in “children’s rights”
In Geneva, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is considering a draft that proposes to enshrine for minors the right to abortion and gender transition without parental consent.