Ukraine's officials discuss OCU's presence on island with Archbishop of Cyprus

A meeting of Ambassador Nizhynsky and OCU cleric Zuyev with the Archbishop of Cyprus. Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Cyprus

On December 18, 2025, at the residence of the Primate of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, a meeting took place between the Ukrainian ambassador to Cyprus, Serhiy Nizhynsky, and the "priest" of the OCU, Petro Zuyev, with Archbishop Georgios, reports the Ukrainian Embassy.

During the conversation, Nizhynsky invited Archbishop Georgios to Ukraine. In turn, the Archbishop expressed a desire to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Cyprus.

As stated in the message, "the issue of opening an OCU spiritual center in Nicosia was discussed," as well as "the dialogue on the blessing for conducting services by Archpriest Petro Zuyev in the capital of Cyprus was resumed." The outcome of the discussion and dialogue is not mentioned in the text.

As reported, Zuyev founded an OCU community in Cyprus back in the spring of 2023, which completely contradicts the provisions of the Tomos of this religious organization. Whether Zuyev received the blessing of Archbishop Georgios and what status this community holds is still unknown.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to the ambassador to Cyprus, the title of Saint Luke reminds that Crimea is Ukraine.

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