Patriarch Bartholomew accuses Russian Church of undermining Orthodox unity

Patriarchs Kirill and Bartholomew at the Phanar. Photo: romfea

Patriarch Bartholomew placed responsibility for the disruption of Orthodox unity on the Russian Orthodox Church during a meeting with Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas at the presidential residence on May 7, 2026. The statement was reported by UOJ in Greece.

According to the patriarch, “ethnophyletism was revived after the collapse of the communist regime, where it had prevailed.”

“This ethnophyletism, condemned as a heresy in 1872 by the Great Synod convened at the Phanar, continues to divide Orthodoxy to this day,” the Constantinople primate said. “The curse of ethnophyletism has penetrated the body of the Orthodox Church and torments contemporary Orthodoxy. Unfortunately, our Slavic brothers, led by the Most Holy Church of Russia, are chiefly responsible for destroying pan-Orthodox unity.”

He also expressed confidence that “in the future we will continue to enjoy the unwavering support of the Greek state and every Greek government, so that we may freely carry out the universal mission of our Patriarchate.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew had stated that 30 hierarchs of the UOC would join the OCU.

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