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
In Poltava, a UOC priest's house was damaged in a drone strike
As a result of a drone attack, the house of Archpriest Konstantin Fisun, rector of the Seraphim Church in Poltava, was damaged.
Kyiv Theological Schools Begin Enrollment for Catechetical Courses
The Kyiv Theological Academy has announced enrollment for the St. Peter Mohyla Catechetical Courses for laypeople.
Greek hierarch criticizes new school textbooks containing LGBT propaganda
Metropolitan Seraphim called on parents to monitor school lessons in order to protect their children.
Site blessed for new church construction in Oleksandriia Eparchy
On the feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Boholep laid a foundation capsule for a new church.
World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of Evangelical church in Iran
Secretary General Jerry Pillay demanded the return of the St. Peter's Church compound to believers.
Poland repeals law recognizing same-sex unions concluded in EU
The court ruled that the registration of foreign same-sex unions contradicts the article of the Constitution defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.