Patriarch Bartholomew thanks GOC Primate for the support of OCU
Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos, Athens. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
On November 21 in Athens, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople thanked the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, for supporting the OCU, according to the Orthodox Times.
After the joint liturgy in the Athens Cathedral, Phanar said that he was "with great joy we are among you and among the fraternal Hierarchs and the honorable state officials, bringing the infinite love and blessing of the Mother Church and the grace of the Saints of our spiritual homeland," and thanked the GOC leader for his support "on the major issues of Orthodoxy."
"In fact, sometimes there were clouds hanging over our heads, but they did not cause destructive precipitation, but only rain and euphoria, fruitful dialogue and coexistence on the major issues of Orthodoxy, both in the Holy and Great Synod of Crete and in the Ukrainian autocephaly. In any case, we overcame any problems in our relationships thanks to our strong bond. Your Beatitude, I want you to know you make me happy and you move me with your love to me," said Patriarch Bartholomew.
According to him, during his patriarchal ministry "nothing has been easy, but history called us, and we accepted it humbly, with fear and joy, with attention and prayer. We thank you again and again for the honors and the support to the Church."
The UOJ wrote that the joint Patriarchal and Archbishopric Divine Liturgy of the head of Phanar and the head of the Orthodox Church of Greece took place on November 21 in Athens.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.