Expert: Zelensky returned to Poroshenko's stance on UOC under US pressure
Vladimir Zelensky's meeting with the head of Phanar, 16.10.20. Photo: ec-patr.org
Despite the fact that the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew will exacerbate the church schism in Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky invited him to Ukraine under pressure from the US Embassy, which is determined to continue ousting the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian political expert and political strategist Mikhail Pogrebinsky said in a comment for the UOJ.
In his opinion, during the elections and immediately after being elected President, Zelensky declared non-interference in the church issue, thus distancing himself from the aggressive policy of Petro Poroshenko towards the UOC. “But as he kept falling deeper and deeper under the control of the American embassy, it was made clear to him that he needed to move on with a view to ousting the canonical Church,” Pogrebinsky said. “Under pressure from the other side, he changed his position and invited Bartholomew."
As reported by the UOJ, Pogrebinsky doubts that the head of the Vatican will accept an invitation to Ukraine from Zelensky, but believes that Greek Catholics will seek the maximum benefit from it.
Read also
BOC debunks false claims of disrupted service over RF ambassador's presence
The Metropolis described reports that the service had been disrupted as slander, explaining that the Primate's calls for order were prompted by the exceptionally large number of people in attendance.
Son of Chernihiv Eparchy priest killed on the front line
The Chernihiv Eparchy has extended its condolences to the family of the dean of the Sosnytsia District, calling on the faithful to pray for the fallen serviceman.
TRC detains priest of Ovruch Eparchy
TRC officers detained Archpriest Serhiy Bovsunovskyi of the UOC's Ovruch Eparchy at a checkpoint near Korosten.
Historic UOC church in Beryslav burns down in drone strike
A wooden church built in 1726 burned down after a drone strike in the Kherson region.
Oldest church in Kyiv celebrates its patronal feast
Metropolitan Victor led the festive service at the capital’s St. Elijah Church.
UOC Primate leads celebrations marking 510 years of Lavra skete in Horodok
In the Rivne Eparchy, the Primate of the UOC consecrated an icon of the Mother of God restored by the convent’s sisters.