Expert: Bartholomew will insist on any lie for the sake of his reputation

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: unn.com.ua

Patriarch Bartholomew will insist on any untruth in order to maintain his reputation. Ruslan Bortnik, a political expert, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, said in a commentary to the UOJ following the visit of the head of Phanar to Ukraine.

The Patriarch of Constantinople continues to persist with the idea that the Tomos issued to the schismatics contributes to the unity of all Orthodox Christians in Ukraine. According to the expert, "The Ecumenical Patriarch declares this because he does not want to admit his blunder and is hiding from it."

He explained that if the head of Phanar says something different, it will further undermine his reputation and confidence in him.

“Therefore, he will insist on any, even an obvious lie, just to maintain his reputation and status,” stated Ruslan Bortnik.

The UOJ also wrote that while thousands of believers of the UOC were trying to secure a meeting with the head of Phanar and tell him what the Tomos, issued by him, actually brought to Ukraine, the head of the OCU Epiphany claimed that his religious structure united three branches of Orthodoxy in Ukraine.

Read also

Believers raise over ₴250,000 for the bail of deserter priest in one day

Funds for the release of Archpriest Vitaly Agafonov, detained after leaving the military unit, were raised in less than a day.

In USA, vandal gets 10 months in prison for satanic inscriptions in church

A resident of Indiana was convicted for desecrating a church with satanic symbols.

Yelensky complains that UOC brings in foreign lawyers for defense

The head of DESS is dissatisfied that the Kyiv Metropolis uses professional legal assistance in court.

Metropolitan Pavel performs tonsure of new monk for Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

A monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra took monastic vows with the name Tykhon.

Hearing in Lower Lavra case postponed again due to judge’s illness

The session of the Northern Commercial Court of Appeal was scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Greek MP: Those who beat priests in Ukraine serve the devil

Greek politician and cardiac surgeon Nikos Papadopoulos, leader of the Greek Pulse party, condemned the persecution of Orthodox clergy in Ukraine.