Pogrebinsky: Patriarch Bartholomew’s arrival in Ukraine may fail
Ukrainian political expert and strategist Mikhail Pogrebinsky. Photo: vesti.ua
Mikhail Pogrebinsky, director of the Kyiv Centre for Political Research and Conflictology, assumed that the planned visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day may not take place.
As the expert explained in the comments to the UOJ, the visit may be cancelled due to the fact that the position of the central government in the country is unstable.
During his Saturday visit to Ankara, President Vladimir Zelensky did not find time to meet with the Phanar head “It was a one-day visit, prepared quickly, spontaneously, and perhaps there were other issues on the agenda that needed to be resolved urgently,” the political expert noted. "Or the President is thus distancing himself from religious tensions within the country."
Mikhail Pogrebinsky described the situation in which the Ukrainian leadership found itself as "weak and unreliable". And if the unstable state of power intensifies over time, it may well happen that "the arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine, expected by summer, will fail".
On April 12, in an interview on the Ukraine 24 channel, the head of the liquidated UOC-KP Filaret Denisenko said that the purpose of Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to Ukraine is to emphasize the OCU's dependence on Constantinople.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.