Constantinople responds to Russia's criticism of Patriarch Bartholomew
Patriarch Bartholomew in the Kremlin with the ROC Patriarch and the RF President. Photo: Kremlin Press Service
The Ecumenical Patriarchate has officially responded to harsh criticism directed at Patriarch Bartholomew by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia (SVR), which accused him of plans to displace the Russian Orthodox Church from the Baltic countries and seeking to legitimize the so-called Montenegrin Church. The Russians also called the Ecumenical Patriarch "the devil incarnate" and "the antichrist in cassock." In a press release, the Patriarchate described such accusations as “fake news” and assured that they would not affect its “ecumenical mission".
"Since 2018, when the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to grant Autocephalous status to the Church of Ukraine, the Mother Church has avoided commenting on the countless similar attacks that have come from either ecclesiastical or political centers and individuals in Russia. It does the same today," the text states.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew promised not to revoke the Tomos from the OCU.
Read also
In Israel, a law on control over the shrines of biblical Samaria is being promoted
The Knesset initiative provides for the transfer of archaeological and Christian sites under the management of the country's Ministry of Heritage.
In Netherlands, transgender schoolgirl arrested for double murder
In the Netherlands, a transgender teenager has been arrested for the brutal murder of her own parents.
In Pavlohrad, UOC priest's house destroyed by shelling
Fr. Oleksandr's family miraculously survived after an attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Pat. Bartholomew blesses establishment of Greek Institute for Ethics and AI
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople approved the opening of a research center for the dialogue of theology and technology.
Court suspends proceedings in Lower Lavra case
The Northern Appellate Commercial Court granted the monastery’s motion and suspended the proceedings in the case until a related case is considered by the court of first instance.
Reserve calls for increased donations to restore Dormition Cathedral
After the strike on the main cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Reserve administration reported a shortage of funds and the continuation of the official donation collection.