US State Dept official discusses Ukraine's religious liberty with Phanar Exarch
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Riley M. Barnes and the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Exarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana. Photo: Facebook
The Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Kyiv was visited by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Riley M. Barnes. During the visit, issues of religious freedom and the humanitarian situation amid the war were discussed, according to a post on the Facebook page “Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine”.
The American official was received by the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Exarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana. He gave the guest an introductory tour of the stavropegial church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, presenting the history of the Stavropegion, its present-day ministry, and its spiritual and cultural activity in Ukraine.
In the course of the conversation, the sides discussed humanitarian issues, the situation of religious communities in the context of the military conflict, and the need for international support to protect human rights and freedom of conscience.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate presented the Assistant Secretary with publications of the Stavropegion, including a New Testament in Ukrainian in a modern translation.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, in an exclusive comment to UOJ, Anna Paulina Luna promised to hold Ukrainian officials, who are allegedly involved in seizures of UOC churches, accountable.
Read also
UOC-KP “bishops” say they missed Filaret’s funeral due to threats from OCU
The newly elected head of the Kyiv Patriarchate, "Bishop" Nikodim, said that pressure had been exerted by supporters of Epifaniy Dumenko.
Filaret Denysenko buried at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral
The burial of the head of the UOC-KP and the “honorary patriarch” of the OCU has been completed in Kyiv. According to his will, his body was laid to rest in the crypt of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral.
His Beatitude: Without humility, fasting and prayer will bear no fruit
Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Agapitus in the Kyiv Caves Lavra on the Sunday of St. John Climacus and addressed the faithful with a sermon.
Pat. Bartholomew to Georgians: Rejoice – your patriarch is now among saints
The Patriarch of Constantinople delivered an address in Tbilisi after the funeral service for Patriarch Ilia II.
Former Georgian Premier: Today, pain and love live in every Georgian heart
Bidzina Ivanishvili called the death of Patriarch Ilia II an irreplaceable void and the loss of an entire era for the nation.
Georgian Parliament Speaker: The Patriarch united people around the Church
Shalva Papuashvili said the departed Primate’s greatest dream was to see the nation united in Christ and stressed that Ilia II bore the heaviest cross of his people.