Phanar Synod rules bearing arms incompatible with priesthood
The Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has declared that clergy possessing or using weapons violates the canonical tradition of the Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, has ruled that possessing and using weapons is incompatible with the status of an Orthodox clergyman, regardless of rank. The Synod met on Monday, November 2, 2026, UOJ-Greece reports.
According to the official communiqué, the issue of clergy carrying and using weapons was addressed during the Synod's deliberations. In its final statement, the Synod clarified that possessing or using weapons for any reason is entirely incompatible with the canonical tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The communiqué emphasized that the ruling was issued in response to a request submitted to the Synod and was not prompted by any particular incident.
As the UOJ previously reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had met with Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul.
