Ukrainian Consul General prays with Phanar head for Pat. Kirill’s health

Ukrainian Consul General reads "Our Father" at the Phanar service on the occasion of Epiphany. 19.01.2024. Photo: ec-patr.org

On January 19, 2024, Roman Nedilsky, the Consul General of Ukraine in Turkey, prayed together with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, during the Divine Liturgy at the St. Basil Church. The prayer included, in particular, wishes for the long life of Patriarch Kirill, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

During the multilingual service, which included Church Slavonic, after the singing of the "Synapte" (O Lord, Save Thy People), the deacon proclaimed the wishes for longevity to Patriarch Bartholomew. Following this, the deacon read the diptych, where immediately after Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, he extended wishes for many years of life (in Greek, "πολλὰ τα ἔτη") to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow (at 41 minutes and 45 seconds in the video).

Subsequently, Roman Nedilsky recited the Lord's Prayer in the Ukrainian language.

Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported suspicions against Patriarch Kirill, accusing him of actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine, justifying Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and conducting aggressive warfare. Later, Patriarch Kirill was declared wanted by the SBU.

In response, the head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, suggested that the UOC refer to Patriarch Kirill and Putin as Satan.

Read also