Synodals of Phanar meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister in Istanbul
Patriarch Bartholomew and Andriy Sybiha. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
On 22 October 2024, the newly constituted Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople held its first meeting, reports the website of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Metropolitan Makarios of Gortyna and Arkadia has been appointed the head of the new synodal body.
It is reported that during the midday break, Patriarch Bartholomew, along with the members of the Synod, welcomed the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiha. Following this, "a long and substantive discussion took place on both sides". Details of the conversation have not yet been made public. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that Sybiha and the synodals "discussed Ukraine's spiritual independence and support for Ukrainians abroad."
The work of the Synod will continue in the coming days, focusing on key church issues.
As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv recorded a video message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople after the second attempt to seize St Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy. The Metropolitan urged the Patriarch to intervene and stop the iniquities committed in Ukraine.
Read also
DESS congratulates Ukrainians on Passover
DESS has published an address in which it compared the biblical Exodus with the modern path of the people toward freedom and peace.
Amsterdam: Zelensky attacks UOC because he doesn't tolerate idependent thought
An international human rights defender stated that the Kyiv authorities are pursuing the goal of turning religion into a government department.
In Jerusalem, Jewish believers banned from visiting Western Wall during Passover
Israeli police announced restrictions for Jewish holidays.
OCU: Filaret did not want UOC-KP to exist after his death
The OCU insists that Filaret wanted the Kyiv Patriarchate to cease to exist after his death.
UOC primate blesses vehicles for evacuating the wounded from the front
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry performed the rite of blessing for nine vehicles purchased with donations from faithful in Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Lawyer warns of planned seizure of UOC Ascension Church in Kyiv
The head of the religious community of the Holy Ascension Church in Demiivka has been unlawfully replaced, according to a lawyer.