The Russian ambassador to Cyprus, Stanislav Osadchiy, launched a blatant attack on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The reason why is yesterday’s decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus during which they recognised the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Stanislav Osadchiy, commenting on yesterday’s decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, stressed that “what Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople did” was “unacceptable.”
“We believe that Bartholomew breached the rules of the Orthodox Church, acted unilaterally and did not discuss the matter with the other Orthodox Churches,” he told the Cyprus News Agency.
The Russian ambassador continued his criticism of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and highlighted that “he caused a schism in the Orthodox Church, which unfortunately continues to exist.” “There is no unanimity among the Cypriot Hierarchs, as it was shown by the meetings of the Holy Synod,” he added.
Referring to the decision of the Holy Synod, the Russian Ambassador commented on its announcement according to which “it looked forward to a broader consultation in which everyone would cooperate to overcome the current crisis.” He said that such a thing would be possible as “they would return to the canonical ecclesiastical order and synodal authority of the Church.”
“We are confident that all the problems caused by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will not have a negative effect on relations between Russia and Cyprus,” he concluded.