Phanar head officiates service in Stavropegia with almost no parishioners

The head of Phanar, surrounded by representatives of the OCU and state security officers, climbs up the steps to the St. Andrew's church. Photo: facebook.com/oleksandr.drabinko

On August 21, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople officiated the vespers in St. Andrew's church in Kyiv, practically “free” of parishioners.

A video of the vespers of the head of Phanar was published on the Facebook page “Stavropegia of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine”.

In addition to Patriarch Bartholomew, the church was attended by “hierarchs” of the OCU, state security officers, journalists and guests. There were practically no ordinary believers of the newly created religious structure in the temple.

One of the Facebook users wrote under the video with the divine service of the head of Phanar: “But there are so many believers there. A dime a thousand. More a dime than a thousand."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that after his meeting with the VR Chairperson, the head of Phanar was taken out of the Verkhovna Rada through the courtyard.

Read also

Met. Tikhon: 'Prayer for the Dead is One of the Great Acts of Christian Love'

His Beatitude offered a reflection for the Saturday of St. Demetrius and commemoration of the departed.

St. Jonah Orthodox Church Celebrates Centennial of Patron Saint's Repose with New Ordinations and Plans for a New Temple

Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal, Locum Tenens for ROCOR's Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America, leads festal services to mark 100 years since the repose of St. Jonah of Manchuria.

Faithful in Cyprus Publish Open Letter in Support of Met. Tychikos of Paphos

Lay group hails hierarch’s stance on ecclesiological purity as a “patristic confession” and urges prayers for his strength amid ongoing trials.

Miraculous Kursk Root Icon on Visit to Western Europe

The most sacred icon of ROCOR is traveling around the Diocese of Great Britian and Western Europe for eight weeks.

Texas Doctor Who 'Transitioned' Children Surrenders Medical License

May Lau had previously been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for providing prohibited “gender transition” treatments to nearly two dozen minors.

U.S. Couple Donates Relics of St. Arsenios to UOC Monastery

A sacred relic of St. Arsenios the Great was donated by a California couple to Ukraine’s Holy Dormition-Sviatogorsk Lavra, where it was solemnly received and venerated in a ceremony led by Met. Arseny.