Patriarch Bartholomew speaks to Macron about Orthodoxy in Ukraine
Patriarch Bartholomew foresaw violence against the UOC. Photo: Thestival
On April 22, an official meeting was held at the Élysée Palace between French President Emmanuel Macron and a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate led by Patriarch Bartholomew, according to the outlet fosfanariou.gr.
President Macron reportedly expressed special interest in discussing with the Ecumenical Patriarch the developments within the Orthodox Church amid ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Macron praised the Patriarch for his unequivocal condemnation of war and for the example he has set as a leading religious figure.
Patriarch Bartholomew offered the French President his blessing for the successful organization and hosting of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris next summer. He also expressed hope that the ancient Olympic principle of a truce would prevail during this historic event.
The Phanar delegation included Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Dimitrios of France, Metropolitan Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies, and Archimandrite Aetios, Director of the Patriarch’s Personal Office.
As previously reported by the UOJ, a court in La Flotte, France, ruled to demolish a statue of the Virgin Mary, stating that the religious display violated the principle of church–state separation.
Read also
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.
Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral
The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.
4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra
The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.
OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna
In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.
His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit
At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.