Patriarch Bartholomew accuses ROC of ingratitude towards Mother Church

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, speaking at a hierarchal meeting at the Monastery of St. George in Kilkis, Greece, criticized the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) for its ingratitude towards the Phanar, Orthodoxtimes.com reports. Bartholomew emphasized that it is the Ecumenical Patriarchate that serves as the "Mother Church" for the ROC and other Orthodox Churches, which over time "turned against their benefactor."

"Everyone looks to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a point of reference, the center of Orthodoxy, the loving Mother Church. Excluding the ancient Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, as well as the Church of Cyprus, all newer churches – including the ungrateful Church of Russia – have their roots in the Ecumenical Patriarchate," said the Patriarch. He noted that many of these churches were once under Constantinople's jurisdiction before receiving autocephaly, but some later began acting against their Mother Church.

Particular attention was given to the religious situation in Ukraine. Bartholomew recalled that in 2018, Moscow Patriarch Kirill tried to dissuade the Ecumenical Patriarchate from granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, but his efforts failed. "They [the Russians] believed their absence from the Council of Crete was the reason the Phanar would declare Ukrainian autocephaly. Yet, they achieved nothing, and soon after, the Ecumenical Patriarchate granted autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, recognizing the right of our 40-45 million Ukrainian brothers and sisters to have an independent church, free from Moscow’s control," Bartholomew stated.

He also expressed confidence that other Local Churches, which have not yet recognized the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, will eventually follow Constantinople's example.

The head of the Phanar further criticized the ROC's stance on the location of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church in 2016. He noted that Russia rejected the proposal to hold the Council in Constantinople at the Church of Saint Irene due to the crescent moon on its dome. "As if in Russia, they do not have the hammer and sickle of atheist communism; yet, the crescent bothered them," the Patriarch remarked.

At the same time, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized the importance of preserving unity among Orthodox churches and fostering constructive cooperation. "Together, we form the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and we must speak with one voice and give a unified testimony to the world," he concluded.

As reported by the UOJ, the Bulgarian Church awarded Patriarch Bartholomew for overcoming schism.

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