Zoria: Phanar Exarchate backs Ukrainians in Lithuania's fight for freedom

Evstratiy Zoria. Photo: screenshot from the "Voice of America" YouTube channel

The spokesman of the OCU, Ivan (Evstratiy) Zoria, told the Lithuanian publication LRT that the struggle of Ukrainians living in Lithuania for their freedom should be manifested in support of the newly formed structure of the Constantinople Patriarchate here.

"I call on Orthodox Ukrainians to support the Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate because it is also part of our joint struggle. We know the slogan that united Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and other European patriots long ago. But this slogan remains relevant, including in church life – 'For your and our freedom! Už jūsų ir mūsų laisvę!'," Zoria urged.

He assured that "ecclesiastical freedom, freedom of faith, and freedom of confession in Ukraine and Lithuania are closely and mutually linked."

Earlier, it was reported that with the blessing of Metropolitan Innokentiy of Vilnius, there is a community for Ukrainian refugees in the Lithuanian Church, led by a priest of the UOC from Kharkiv.

Read also

Constantinople hierarch: We hope the ROC helps bring one Church in Ukraine

The Metropolitan of Chalcedon said that the Church of Constantinople is hoping for the ROC's good will for dialogue on the Ukrainian issue.

Suspended bishop files a lawsuit against the Church in Armenia

The lawsuit by a hierarch banned from serving against the leadership of the Armenian Church is the first such case in modern Armenia, where the Church is separated from the state.

Bosnia’s Interreligious Council speaks out against creating “Bosnian Church”

The Interreligious Council of Bosnia rejected an attempt to form a separate religious structure outside the canonical jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Germany sends €63 million to international abortion organizations – media

Despite official statements, German authorities allocated tens of millions of euros in 2022–2025 to organizations promoting abortion abroad.

Pashinyan says Catholicos’ activities threaten Armenia’s security

At a briefing in Yerevan, Armenia’s head of government said the Catholicos poses a threat to the state.

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.”