Translated by Ollie Richardson

02:21:31
10/04/2018

strana.ua

The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a trip to Istanbul on Monday met the Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. This was reported by the press service of the head of State.

“Poroshenko told the clergyman about his recent visit to Mariupol and Volnovakha. Also, Poroshenko once again noted the importance of creating in Ukraine a united local orthodox church,” noted the press service.

It should be noted that the question of the Constantinople Patriarchate including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the [so-called – ed] Kiev Patriarchate was earlier repeatedly brought up, which would thus solve the problem of its canonicity. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate isn’t recognised by any orthodox church in the world, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in canonical unity with the Russian Orthodox Church) is considered to be the canonical church on the territory of Ukraine.

And this is the strongest factor that prevents the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate from expanding its influence. If the Kiev Patriarchate is included in Constantinople, then this problem will be solved.

At the same time, the Patriarch of Constantinople made it clear more than once that he doesn’t intend to agree to such a “scheme” because he doesn’t want to enter into conflict with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church.

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