The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew supports the initiative of the President of Ukraine aimed at spiritual independence

The deputy head of the Presidential Office Olena Kovalskaya and the Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Victor Yelensky met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The parties discussed in detail the state of religious freedom in Ukraine, which, despite the war, deepens Ukrainian society.

The Ukrainian side is proud that there are no temples in our country, the main and secondary religions, and the voice of small religious communities in the All -Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations sounds as loudly as the voice of churches, which most Ukrainians belong. The Ukrainian side also thanked its holy for the long and unchanging support of Ukraine, which is highly appreciated by the Ukrainian people.

The Patriarch was informed of the crimes committed by Russian invaders against religious freedom in Ukraine, about dozens of priests, pastors, theologians who were killed by Russian invaders, and more than 630 destroyed cult buildings. His holy emphasized that the world knew very little about these crimes, and called for the spread of the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine and those who are trying to destroy it.

The Ecumenical Patriarch testified to his constant readiness to make the necessary efforts for the sake of prosperity of Orthodoxy in Ukraine and noted that he cares for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. His holy noted that he supports everything that is aimed at good for Ukraine. In particular, this concerns the initiative of President Vladimir Zelensky on spiritual independence, which is a prerequisite for the development of our country.