Pat Bartholomew: Tomos of OCU strengthens the unity of Orthodoxy

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Orthodox Times
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, speaking in Australia at an official dinner organized by the Archdiocese of Australia, emphasized the importance of the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) as a step towards strengthening the unity of the Orthodox world, reports Orthodox Times.
Patriarch Bartholomew noted that granting the OCU independent status played a key role in maintaining church order and preserving Orthodox unity, despite internal and external challenges.
He also touched on the topic of political and religious freedom, highlighting Australia as an example of a country where these values are protected and upheld. In his opinion, Australia represents an exemplary model of freedom and progress.
In addition, Patriarch Bartholomew stressed the importance of dialogue between different Christian denominations and religions, noting the leading role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in these processes.
As reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew accused the ROC of being ungrateful to the Mother Church.
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.