Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, referring to Bishop Kyrillos of Erythres on the 28th anniversary since his election, stated, “Over those years, there were pleasant and unpleasant events.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch launched an attack on the Patriarchate of Moscow, but he did not mention the Russian Orthodox Church. He said, “The most unpleasant events were those that were caused by other Sister Churches, which were benefited from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The current unpleasant situation between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Moscow is mainly caused by the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine issue.”
However, the Ecumenical Patriarch seemed reassured and pleased with the decisions made. In particular, he said, “Our consciousness is clear, as we are simply doing what is best. We uphold and protect the canonical laws and privileges granted by the Ecumenical Councils to the Church of Constantinople.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch once again expressed his gratitude to the Church of Greece. He said that the Church of Greece “set a good example by recognising and entering into communion with the newly established 15th Autocephalous Church of Ukraine.”
He also thanked the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and said that he was deeply moved by the letter sent from Archbishop Ieronymos to Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv. Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that he expected that other Orthodox churches would also recognise the Church of Ukraine.
Gepostet von Ecumenical Patriarchate am Samstag, 2. November 2019
