Zoria: Pat. Bartholomew calls the creation of exarchate in Ukraine a fake

OCU delegation at the Phanar. Photo: OCU

OCU delegation at the Phanar. Photo: OCU

Spokesperson for the OCU, Yevstratiy Zoria, stated that Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople rejected the possibility of the Phanar granting an exarchate to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). He shared this information in a comment to Glavcom.

Zoria reported that Patriarch Bartholomew categorically denied such rumors during a meeting with Metropolitan Epifaniy of the OCU at the Phanar residence. Zoria was also present at these talks.

"During the meeting in Constantinople, we addressed this issue because it had been frequently circulated as rumors in the press," said the spokesperson for the Dumenko structure. "The Patriarch was clear, direct, and unequivocal: it is 'fake news'. He used precisely this English expression. His reaction to it was really as if it were nonsense."

Earlier, Robert Amsterdam, head of the international human rights company Amsterdam & Partners LLP, sent an urgent message to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky about a campaign against the UOC and plans to ban it by the end of August, with subsequent incorporation into the OCU through the Constantinople Patriarchate. Amsterdam claimed that these plans are being developed secretly and are based on documents allegedly created by members of the President's Office administration.

As reported by the UOJ, in 2019, the head of the restored Kyiv stavropegia was appointed. Archimandrite Michael (Anischenko) was designated as the head of the Constantinople Patriarchate's stavropegia in Kyiv.

Read also

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.

DESS has not yet prepared lists for clergy exemptions

The State Service for Ethnopolitics is still compiling a list of religious organizations it deems critical to the economy.

UOC metropolitan addressing UN calls for return of Cherkasy cathedral

Metropolitan Theodosiy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has addressed diplomats and representatives of international organizations, speaking out against violations of the rights of UOC believers.

Primate of UOC speaks on the steps of spiritual ladder leading to salvation

The Primate of the UOC emphasized that the steps in the book by St. John Climacus lead from humility to perfect love.