Zelensky meets Patriarch Bartholomew in U.S. to discuss Church in Ukraine
Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew in the U.S. Photo: Orthodox Observer
On September 22, 2025, during his visit to the United States, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The President of Ukraine reported this on X.
At the meeting, the Patriarch welcomed Zelensky with the words, “Glory to Ukraine!”
The two sides discussed the “ways to achieve genuine peace and the further development of the Church in Ukraine.”
“I informed him about the protection of religious freedom in Ukraine,” Zelensky assured, adding that he invited the Patriarch to visit Ukraine. He also thanked him “for his support, solidarity, advocacy for Ukraine’s interests, his constant prayers for all Ukrainians, and his condemnation of the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has blessed the killing of Ukrainians.”
The meeting was attended by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Head of the Presidential Office A. Yermak, Foreign Minister A. Sybiha, NSDC Secretary Umerov, and others.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky had called Carlson’s accusations of persecution against the UOC “manipulations.”
Read also
Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Kherson damaged by drone strike
As a result of a Russian shelling, the cathedral of the Kherson Diocese has been damaged once again.
Blogger comments on SSETNP's demand to Pochaiv Lavra to break ties with the UOC
Blogger Ilyina stated that the SSETNP's demand for Pochaiv Lavra to leave the structure of the UOC constitutes interference in church governance.
In Nigeria, Catholic priest stabbed to death with machete
In Nigeria, the body of a priest from Catholic St. Mary’s Church in Egbe was found on the side of a road with severe machete wounds.
In Zabolottia, hundreds of faithful from persecuted community mark patronal feast
In Zabolottia, about 400 faithful gathered to celebrate the patronal feast of a UOC community that had built a new church following the seizure of its former church.
Orthodox Church parishioners evacuated due to wildfires in USA
In the city of Spokane, Washington state, parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church were evacuated due to wildfires that destroyed more than 600 structures.
Oleksandrivka believers hold procession to site of Virgin Mary’s apparition
The Odesa Eparchy of the UOC held an annual prayer procession to the Nativity of the Theotokos Convent.