Constantinople representative: it’s up to Moscow to take a decision on Ukrainian autocephaly (VIDEO)

Representative of the Constantinople Patriarchate priest Alexander Karloutsos gave a negative assessment of the appeal of the Ukrainian deputies to Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew to grant autocephaly to the “Orthodox Church in Ukraine”.

“In my opinion, it was bold – too bold – to make this appeal”, he underscored. “Their politics should have nothing to do with the recognition of the Church (autocephaly ed.)”.

The representative of Constantinople also added that Patriarch Bartholomew thinks this issue is a prerogative of Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill. “As you know, the Ecumenical Patriarch recognizes only Patriarch Kirill as a spiritual head of all Russia, which also means Ukraine,” stated father Alexander.

Father Alexander Karloutsos is a clergyman of the American Archbishopric. He is also one of the most powerful figures among the clergy and a confidant of Patriarch Bartholomew.

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