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
Summer Session of Lay Education of the UOC Launched at Horodok Monastery
A two-day course of lectures on psychology and the history of Orthodoxy has begun at a UOC monastery.
Tehran authorities confiscating country’s oldest Protestant church
Iranian authorities have seized the church’s 10,000-square-meter garden and ordered 20 Christian families to vacate the premises.
Vatican opposes sanctions against Patriarch Kirill – media report
Rome and Bulgaria have spoken out against including the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
Moscow taxi driver fined for performing namaz on roadway
A taxi driver stopped his car near a traffic police building and performed Islamic prayer on the roadway, after which a court imposed an administrative fine.
Cabinet approves creation of Pantheon on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra grounds
The Cabinet of Ministers and the Institute of National Memory are to compile lists of individuals to be commemorated on the territory of the Lavra.
Kyiv declares July 3 day of mourning after Russian attack
Flags in Kyiv will be lowered and entertainment events canceled in memory of those killed in the Russian attack.