Pat. Bartholomew calls on four Churches to accept Crete Council's decisions
Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Press Service of the Patriarchate of Constantinople
On June 1, 2026, Patriarch Bartholomew led the Divine Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit at the Holy Trinity Church of the Stavrodromi community in Istanbul. This was reported by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
In his address to the faithful, the Patriarch reсalled that it was on Pentecost Monday of 2016 that the Council of Crete opened in Kolymbari. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of this event, he appealed to the four Local Churches that did not participate in its work, calling upon them to study the six document-decisions, the Encyclical, and the Message of the Council and "to proceed conciliarly to their acceptance." The Patriarch called this step "the only correct response" and an expression of respect for the many years of work by all Orthodox Churches.
It should be recalled that the Georgian, Bulgarian, Serbian, and Russian Churches did not participate in the Council of Crete.
As the UOJ reported, a hierarch of the Church of Greece called the Council of Crete a path to schism. The Holy and Great Council of 2016 took place without the participation of the Russian, Georgian, Bulgarian, and Antiochian Orthodox Churches, which withdrew from participation shortly before its opening.
Read also
OCU rep shows red-and-black flag with Savior Not Made by Hands icon and trident
A cleric of Dumenko's structure posted a photo with a unique flag on social media.
US Assembly of Bishops reports declining number of Christians in Ukraine
Participants of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA highlighted the dangers facing believers in Ukraine and the Middle East and called for an end to the hostilities.
Phanar hierarch: Council of Crete decisions also apply to non-attendees
A hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople stated that despite the absence of four Local Churches, the Council in Crete did take place.
Memorial service held for victims of Pryluky missile attack
A memorial service for the deceased residents, including four children, was held at the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Pryluky.
Vinnytsia Eparchy cleric suspended from ministry for spiritist practices
Archpriest Mykola Hryshchenko has been suspended from ministry in the Vinnytsia Eparchy of the UOC. The faithful are not blessed to attend his services.
UOC and Jerusalem Church clergy concelebrate at Church of Holy Sepulchre
During a pilgrimage trip, the UOC clergy concelebrated with clerics of the Jerusalem Church in the Holy Land.