He is against Moscow: Ivano-Frankivsk calls Phanar head an honorary citizen
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: galychyna.if.ua
On November 3, 2021, the City Council of Ivano-Frankivsk awarded Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople the title of honorary citizen of the city, according to the website of the Galychyna newspaper.
At the session of the City Council, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk Ruslan Martsinkiv stated that he considered it very important the creation of the OCU by the head of Phanar because the patriarch of Constantinople acted "contrary to Moscow". "This man (Patriarch Bartholomew – Ed.) went against Moscow and today we have our Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Although I am a Greek Catholic, I understand that this decision is very important for Ukraine," Martsinkiv said.
In the near future, the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council will send a delegation to the head of Phanar in Istanbul (Turkey) to present him with documents on conferring the title of honorary citizen. We will remind that earlier Martsinkiv joyfully reported about the court decision by which the UOC community was evicted from the Transfiguration church in Ivano-Frankivsk.
As reported by the UOJ, the mayor’s office of Ivano-Frankivsk explained why the UOC community had been deprived of the church.
Read also
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.
Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service
A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.
Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland
An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.