Patriarch Bartholomew troubled by “disorderly voices” criticizing his Church
Patriarch Bartholomew addressing the Romanian Synod. Photo: Nikos Papachristou
On October 27, 2025, in Bucharest, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, expressing concern over growing criticism of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from some Local Churches.
He spoke of the “pain of the Mother Church and her deep anxiety over the disorderly yet increasingly frequent voices of certain Local Churches claiming that she has lost her inherited responsibility,” asserting that “we are said to be living in a so-called post-Constantinopolitan period.”
Patriarch Bartholomew firmly rejected these claims: “The erroneous theory that the Archbishop of Constantinople has lost his ‘appellate’ responsibility, and the consequences arising from it, do not escape the notice of people of truth.”
He sharply criticized Churches that question Constantinople’s authority: “Their institutional origin and structure exist solely through the exhaustive care of the Holy Great Church of Christ. With such assertions, they destroy themselves and negatively affect the Church’s present.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Bucharest, amid cries of “Anathema,” Patriarch Bartholomew commemorated Dumenko.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.