Expert: Head of Phanar was invited to Ukraine to get OCU’s rating up

Patriarch Bartholomew and the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko. Photo: wikipedia

The invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine by President Vladimir Zelensky may owe to the fact that the canonical Churches stopped the recognition of the OCU. By inviting the head of Phanar, the authorities hope to improve the efficiency and manageability of this religious organization, Ruslan Bortnik, Director of the Ukrainian Institute for Analysis and Policy Management said in an interview with the First Cossack youtube channel.

In his opinion, now the OCU is facing problems that are caused, among other things, by the demarche of the head of the liquidated UOC-KP Filaret Denisenko, as well as by the low efficiency and manageability of this organization: “There are complicated processes within the OCU, including an outstanding issue with Filaret (Denisenko – Ed.). By and large, although this religious denomination has appeared, its controllability and effectiveness are rather low, while its recognition by other Local Churches has stopped today. In my view, they invited Bartholomew (Patriarch – Ed.) to remedy the situation,” the expert believes.

As reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew can come to Ukraine in order to take the religious sites promised to him by Poroshenko under his direct control, Ruslan Bortnik believes.

Read also

Thousands in Ghana Enter Canonical Orthodox Church After Year-Long Catechism

Major growth for Patriarchate of Alexandria as former independent group unites with Orthodox Church.

Antiochian Archdiocese to Celebrate Sunday of All Saints of Antioch With Patriarchate of Antioch for First Time

The feast, established in 2023, highlights the enduring witness and legacy of the Church of Antioch.

Church of Cyprus Defrocks Priest Amid Mounting Ecclesiastical Tensions

Fr. Dimos Serkelidis removed from clerical office following Synodal Court decision; controversy grows over internal Church governance

OCU Holds Service in Seized Cherkasy Church—But Nobody Came

Photos reveal nearly deserted worship in St. Andrew’s Church after its seizure from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)

Romanian Orthodox Hierarchs Propose Five Women for Canonization

Canonization effort highlights upcoming Commemorative Year of Holy Women in 2026.

St. Olga of Alaska Officially Glorified in Her Hometown of Kwethluk

First North American female saint honored in historic vigil attended by hundreds of pilgrims and hierarchs.