Expert: Phanar head's visit increases probability of OCU-Uniates alliance

Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk and head of the OCU Epiphany. Photo: synod.ugcc.ua

There is a stronger likelihood of concluding alliances between the OCU and the UGCC. Ruslan Bortnik, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, said this in a comment to the UOJ.

Assessing the possible consequences of the recent visit of the head of Phanar, which the expert described as political, Ruslan Bortnik noted that "this visit strengthens the influence of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Ukraine, allows expanding this influence by acquiring new stavropegia, increasing leverage on the Ukrainian government, while bolstering the position of the OCU."

“It also increases the likelihood of some kind of alliance between the OCU and Greek Catholics,” the expert said.

The UOJ wrote that Patriarch Bartholomew presented the head of the UGCC with a panagia with his signature. The latter regarded the gift as recognition of the episcopal dignity of the entire UGCC.

Read also

Kharkiv metropolitan offers condolences after tragedy in Bohodukhiv

Metropolitan Onufriy sent words of support to the mother of three young children who were killed, as well as to their father, in Kharkiv Region.

Police in frontline Yurkivka help evacuate icons from damaged UOC church

The rector of the UOC Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos appealed to the police due to the worsening security situation.

OCU сreates “сlone” of Krupytskyi Monastery after UOC expulsion

The OCU Synod has decided to establish the “Baturyn St. Nicholas–Krupytskyi Men’s Monastery.”

OCU thanks Novovolynsk mayor for transporting people to Dumenko's "service"

Supporters of the OCU sent gratitude to Mayor Borys Karpus for providing transportation to the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr.

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on seizure in Kuzmyn

The seizure of the UOC church in Kuzmyn was based on forged documents about changing jurisdiction to the OCU.

Restoration of St Florus Convent: Former KCSA official reported suspicion

A former deputy general director of the Kyiv Scientific and Methodological Center for the Protection and Restoration of Monuments is suspected of embezzling 660 thousand hryvnias of budget funds.