Head of Phanar on Olympics opening: Blasphemy is not progress

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: glasove.com

The head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Bartholomew, condemned the Olympics opening ceremony that parodied Christ's 'Last Supper' with the twelve apostles, calling these performances an offense "not only against Christianity and the Holy Gospel but also against every civilized person who recognizes the right to believe and respect religious symbols," reports fosfanariou.gr.

"These images not only failed to embellish the ceremony but also cast a shadow over it. Blasphemy against God is not progress, nor is it a right to insult the religious beliefs of our fellow human beings. We hope that the spontaneous expression of disgust and disapproval from the public has sent a sufficiently loud signal to decision-makers and serves as a source of hope to prevent such actions in the future," wrote Patriarch Bartholomew.

As the UOJ reported, Trump criticized the Olympics opening ceremony for its parody of Christ, calling it a disgrace.

Read also

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.”

New UOC church of St. Basil the Great consecrated in Krasnoilsk, Bukovyna

The rite of consecration and the festive service were led by Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.

New men’s monastery founded in UOC's Oleksandriia Eparchy

The Holy Transfiguration monastery will become a center of prayer and spiritual care in the region.

European Parliament honors memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania

For the first time, the European Parliament hosted an event dedicated to the life and works of the late Primate of the Albanian Church.

UN seeks to include abortion and gender ideology in “children’s rights”

In Geneva, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is considering a draft that proposes to enshrine for minors the right to abortion and gender transition without parental consent.

Surveillance camera aimed at Orthodox school near Cherkasy removed – believers

Unknown individuals posing as electricians installed a camera opposite the entrance to an Orthodox gymnasium. After the police were called, the device disappeared.