DECR MP: Phanar head’s visit to US may trigger church raiding in Ukraine
Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk. Photo: russian-expert.ru
Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, secretary of the DECR MP for inter-Orthodox relations, does not exclude an increase in the persecution of the UOC and new seizures of churches by schismatics from the OCU as a result of the visit of the head of Phanar to the United States, ria.ru reports.
“True, we do not exclude an increase in the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Church due to the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States,” Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk emphasized.
According to him, the Patriarch of Constantinople "one way or another will meet with people who oversee the Ukrainian project (OCU – Ed.) And, apparently, they will exchange views on further steps in the implementation of this project."
“If the point of view prevails that activity needs to be increased, then there will be more seizures of churches and other similar actions in relation to the believers of the canonical Ukrainian Church,” added the DECR MP secretary.
“The fact that the United States worked closely with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Ukrainian church affairs is not concealed by either side. Mr. Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State, when leaving his post, said that one of the main achievements in his career is the autocephaly of the OCU,” recalled Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, wondering that this is a priority for such a rank of an official of such a country.
The main point of this visit, according to the priest, is to reiterate the bond of the United States and the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
“As I understand, this visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States is intended to emphasize their closeness, to demonstrate that the United States, even after the change of administration, is the defender and patron of the Patriarchate of Constantinople – this is the main target of this visit,” said the representative of the Moscow Patriarchate.
As the UOJ previously reported, Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in the United States on a visit. In the United States, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with top officials of the state, including President Joe Biden and Head of the State Department Anthony Blinken. The visit will last until November 3.
Read also
Head of Germany’s largest media group: We must all become Zionists
The media executive urged Europeans to defend the Jewish state in order to preserve their own freedom and security.
Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.