Phanar head: We are obliged to lead Local Churches as an elder brother

Patriarch Bartholomew speaking to the media outside the White House. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

On October 25, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew, after official meetings in Washington with American President Joe Biden and the head of the U.S. Department of State Antony Blinken, stated that the Patriarchate of Constantinople should lead the Local Autocephalous Churches, reports orthodoxtimes.com.

Speaking to the media outside the White House, the head of Phanar said that he has a responsibility to lead the Local Autocephalous Churches as "an elder brother". At the same time, he believes that other views on the role of the Patriarchate of Constantinople should not oppose his leadership in world Orthodoxy. “We have a responsibility to lead the Local Autocephalous Churches as an elder brother of one family. This sense of family is intrinsically Orthodox, and we cannot allow any shortsighted political agendas to interfere with our relationships that are through and in Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior of the world," Patriarch Bartholomew told reporters.

As reported, the Phanar head complained to Biden about the moves of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Read also

Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds

The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.

Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary

The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).

Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America

During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.

UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference

Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.

Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site

The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.

Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches

The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.