Not a single word about “One Church”: Constantinople does not confirm Groysman’s information
The memorandum of the official site of the Ecumenical Patriarchate writes the Patriarch and Ukraine’s Premier have discussed various issues in a friendly atmosphere, followed by the exchange of memory gifts. Nothing is said what they spoke about in particulars.
It is known the Prime Minister and the Patriarch have made a press release. However, there is no film on the site which could show their talking to the press.
Recently the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers has published some information that Patriarch Bartholomew reportedly pledged to assist by the creation of “one church” in Ukraine.
Below is an exclusive translation made by the UOJ of the information about the meeting posted on the official site of Constantinople Patriarchate.
His Excellency Prime Minister of Ukraine in the Patriarch’s Office
On Wednesday of 15 March Mr Vladimir Groysman, Chair of the Government of Ukraine, within the framework of his official visit to Turkey, paid a visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch’s Office accompanied by Vladimir Kistion, Deputy Chair of Government, Taras Kustovoy, Minister of Agriculture, Liliya Grinevich, Minister of Education, and Andrey Sibikh, Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, as well as Maksim Vdovichenko, Acting General Consul in Istanbul city, Sergey Popik and Mirosalv Kosheliuk, Advisors to the Prime Minister, Yury Bodenchuk, personal secretary of Mr Groysman and interpreter Stanislav Yezhov.
According to the protocol courtesy rules, Mr Prime Minister was received at the entrance for the clergy of the Patriarch’s Residence; afterwards he was offered a sightseeing tour around the residence, guided by Archimandrite Vissarion, Scriniary of the Patriarch.
Further on, Mr Premier was received in conformity with all ceremonials by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his room where they began discussing various issues which continued for a long while in a friendly atmosphere. They also exchanged gifts in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Immanuel of Gaul, His Eminence Bartholomew of Smyrna – Secretary of the Holy Synod, as well as Archbishop Daniel of Pamphylia, who guides the Ukrainian parish of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA.
Afterwards, in the Throne Room, the Chairman of Ukrainian Government, together with other attendees, had a meeting with the press during which they made special statements in this respect.
At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister was shown by the Patriarch with due honors to the entrance of the Patriarch’s house.
Read also
Met. Longin’s lawyer: Judges wanted to ban video recording of the trial
After the judge decided to conduct the session 'in camera', Metropolitan Longin suffered a heart attack.
Odesa UOC Eparchy: "We can no longer be silent; we will defend the Church"
The press service of the Odesa Eparchy commented on the statement regarding the ROC's actions toward dioceses in occupied territories.
OCU cathedral in Lutsk decorated with frescoes of businessmen
Due to criticism of this initiative, the images had to be redone.
Yelensky on UOC bishops’ statement: We expect an exit from the ROC, not talks
The DESS head suggested that the Primate did not support this statement, as he hadn't put his signature on it.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence head and his wife attend confession at OCU
Previously, Budanov's wife was a parishioner of the 'Holosiivska Desert' Monastery.
Court of Appeals returns Pochaiv Lavra skete to state ownership
Three churches of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Pochaiv, affiliated with the UOC, have been transferred to state ownership.