The war in Ukraine is evil and diabolical – Ecumenical Patriarch
Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Burak Kara
On July 8, 2025, at the Istanbul residence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew called Russia's war against Ukraine "diabolical".
During a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, accompanied by the Consul General of Ukraine in Istanbul, Roman Nedilskyi, Patriarch Bartholomew stated: "From the first moment of this terrible war, I stood before the whole world and said: this is evil, this is injustice, this is diabolical.".
"No one has the right to steal children from their parents, to break up families, to sow death and suffering," emphasized the Patriarch.
According to him, "war is always a defeat for humanity, it is contrary to the will of God who created us for love, for peace, for joy".
"That is why I continue to say and will say until my last breath: 'No to war! Yes to peace!" declared the head of the Constantinople Patriarchate.
He assured that he prays every day "that this tragedy will end as soon as possiblee" and promised Ukrainians that he would do "everything possible to help your homeland find peace".
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Patriarch Bartholomew called the children from Ukraine his grandchildren.
Read also
Ukraine now allows matronymics alongside patronymics
Ukrainian legislation has allowed people to change their patronymic since 2021, including replacing the father's name with the mother's name.
Kharkiv's gay community announces LGBT march
At the pride march in Kharkiv, participants will demand the legalization of same-sex marriages in Ukraine.
Ukrainians criticize official who called pilgrimage to Pochaiv "horrifying"
Threads users did not support the head of the "Ancient Kyiv" Reserve, Roman Malenkov, who called the UOC pilgrimage "a horrifying horror."
Metropolitan Alexiy of Voznesensk consecrates chapel in Velyka Solona
The ruling bishop of the Voznesensk Eparchy performed the consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia.
UOC draws 7 times more worshippers than OCU in Kerstentsi on Transfiguration
More than 300 faithful attended the UOC parish’s patronal feast in Kerstentsi.
Sybiha invites Putin to take Dmitry Donskoy’s place in sarcophagus
Ukraine’s foreign minister commented on reports that part of the relics of Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy could be sent to Russian troops.