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".

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