OP: Patriarch Bartholomew supports Ukraine's "spiritual independence"
Volodymyr Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: bbc.com
On August 13, 2024, during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian officials and representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his support for President Volodymyr Zelensky's initiatives regarding Ukraine's "spiritual independence", according to the President's Office website.
Deputy Head of the President's Office Olena Kovalska and Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky thanked Patriarch Bartholomew "for his continuous and unwavering support of Ukraine, which is highly appreciated by the Ukrainian people."
In turn, the head of the Phanar confirmed "his constant readiness to make the necessary efforts for the prosperity of Orthodoxy in Ukraine and noted that he cares for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."
He also stated that he "supports everything that is aimed at the good of Ukraine."
"In particular, this includes the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on spiritual independence, which is a prerequisite for the development of our country," the President's Office noted.
Previously, the UOJ reported that on August 10, in his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that he held a meeting "about a decision that will strengthen our spiritual independence".
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.