Bartholomew urges to spread truth about religious freedom in Ukraine

UOJ journalists behind bars. Photo: UOJ

On August 13, 2024, during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian officials and representatives of the OCU, Patriarch Bartholomew called for spreading the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine, according to the President's Office website.

The delegation, which included Deputy Head of the President's Office Olena Kovalska, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky, and representatives of the OCU, informed the head of the Phanar "about the crimes committed by Russian occupiers against religious freedom in Ukraine."

Patriarch Bartholomew was informed "about the dozens of priests, pastors, and theologians killed by the Russian invaders, and about more than 630 destroyed religious buildings". It is unclear whether the delegation mentioned that the overwhelming majority of the murdered clergy and destroyed churches belonged to the UOC.

In response, Patriarch Bartholomew stated that "the world knows very little about these crimes" and urged "to spread the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine and those who are trying to destroy it".

Previously, the UOJ reported that journalists from our website are being prosecuted for speaking the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine.

Read also

We will not be silent – we will defend our Shepherd! – Metropolitan Longin

The hierarch called on all believers to intensify their prayers for the Primate and urged the authorities to reconsider the decision before it's too late.

UOC faithful launch flash mob in support of His Beatitude Onuphry

"For years he has prayed for each of us. Now it's our turn to support the Primate," the statement says.