Bartholomew urges to spread truth about religious freedom in Ukraine

UOJ journalists behind bars. Photo: UOJ

On August 13, 2024, during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian officials and representatives of the OCU, Patriarch Bartholomew called for spreading the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine, according to the President's Office website.

The delegation, which included Deputy Head of the President's Office Olena Kovalska, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky, and representatives of the OCU, informed the head of the Phanar "about the crimes committed by Russian occupiers against religious freedom in Ukraine."

Patriarch Bartholomew was informed "about the dozens of priests, pastors, and theologians killed by the Russian invaders, and about more than 630 destroyed religious buildings". It is unclear whether the delegation mentioned that the overwhelming majority of the murdered clergy and destroyed churches belonged to the UOC.

In response, Patriarch Bartholomew stated that "the world knows very little about these crimes" and urged "to spread the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine and those who are trying to destroy it".

Previously, the UOJ reported that journalists from our website are being prosecuted for speaking the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine.

Read also

US helps restore Orthodox church in Turkey after earthquake

Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines

Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat

Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.

Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center

The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."

OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media

OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.

Kamianske Eparchy commemorates New Martyr Ioann Mohylevsky