The Patriarch of Constantinople promised to give the autocephaly to Ukraine

The Patriarch of Constantinople promised to give the autocephaly to Ukraine

ATHENS, September 23 — RIA Novosti, Gennady Melnik. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said that soon will grant autocephaly to Ukraine, which had received Autocephalous Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and he was not afraid of threats.

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This statement Bartholomew did after Sunday services in the Church of St. Phocas Masaharu in Istanbul, referring to the Consul General of Ukraine in Istanbul Alexander Hamano. Video of the speech of the Patriarch posted on the page of the Patriarchate in the social network Facebook.

Turning first to the Czech theologian present at the Liturgy, Bartholomew said that the Church of Czech lands and Slovakia, the newest member of the Autocephalous churches, the Patriarchate of Constantinople declared its autocephaly in 1998, and now it is “under the love and protection of our Patriarchate.”

“Now it was the turn of Ukraine, which will receive the status of autocephaly, after a short time, I hope, despite the existing counter, and it will be because it is her right,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch. “It is her right to receive the status of autocephaly, but on the other hand, it is right and of course the exclusive right of our Ecumenical Patriarchate to grant autocephaly, as it was provided to all new Orthodox churches, starting with Russia in the XVI century, to the Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia,” he said.

“We are not afraid of threats,” said the Patriarch, without explaining what threats he has in mind. “I recently said in a sermon that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is not in danger, is not afraid of threats, but steadily performs according to the Holy canons of their mission,” he continued. Bartholomew said that these rights were given by the Ecumenical councils and will be fulfilled “in the case of Ukraine and wherever else need be.”

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