Phanar head: Orthodoxy is unethically used against Christians in Ukraine
Patriarch Bartholomew in Antalya. Photo: Fosfanariou
The head of the Church of Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew said at the International Conference in Antalya dedicated to the Apostle Paul that the idea of ecumenism is "not a luxury" but an imperative for Christians, reports Fosfanariou.
“Therefore, when we pursue inter-Christian relations today—engaging with Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and all Protestant believers—we are naturally promoting sacramental unity in accordance with the prayer of our Lord, who desired "that [his disciples] may all be one" (John 17.21),” the Phanar head noted.
At the same time, he said, "In our world religion is being exploited, manipulated and instrumentalized for various reasons, including nationalism, fanaticism and fundamentalism."
"We witness this before our eyes in Ukraine, where Orthodox Christianity is unethically and unjustly harnessed against other Orthodox Christians with the blessing of the Moscow Patriarchate. We observe the same violation and vilification in the Middle East and Northern Africa, where hostility and warfare are waged in the name of religion at the expense of civilian life and humanitarian need," said Patriarch Bartholomew.
Earlier, the head of the Phanar warned that there will be more deaths from global warming than from COVID.
Read also
In Transcarpathia, UOC holds charitable events to support orphaned children
On the eve of the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas, the clergy and believers of the Mukachevo and Khust eparchies visited children's social institutions with humanitarian aid.
Theological Seminary of Odesa celebrates 80th anniversary of its revival
Festive services and a solemn assembly were held in honor of the anniversary of the Odesa Theological School.
In Volyn, Jehovah's Witness minister convicted for refusing to serve in AFU
The court found a Jehovah's Witness minister guilty of evading military service.
UN expresses concern over escalating pressure on Estonian Orthodox Church
UN experts have warned of risks to freedom of religion in Estonia amid an escalation of legislative and administrative measures against the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC).
OCU seizes Intercession Church of UOC’s Balta Eparchy in Myrony village
Without the participation of the religious community, the parish was “transferred” to the structure headed by Dumenko.