Ukrainians deliver to Phanar 50,000 signatures against schism legalization
On May 21-26, the faithful of the UOC visited the holy places of Constantinople, Izmir, and Ephesus on a pilgrimage tour.
Parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church handed over to the Patriarchate of Constantinople petitions signed by 50 thousand believers. People ask Patriarch Bartholomew that the issue of granting autocephaly be considered only under the canon law, reports a UOJ correspondent.
Among the pilgrims were parishioners of the UOC churches seized by representatives of the Kiev Patriarchate. The believers reinforced their appeals with photos and video materials confirming gross violations of their rights. Protopriest Victor Zemlianoy, responsible for the resolution of interfaith conflicts in the Rovno eparchy, said that "believers want the commission that is working on the issue of granting autocephaly to come to Ukraine and talk to the residents of these villages."
130 pilgrims of the UOC donated three miraculous images (replicas of miraculous icons of the three Lavras of Ukraine: Kiev-Pechersk, Pochaev and Sviatogorsk), asking the Patriarch to pray for Ukraine.
So far, Phanar has already received 60,000 signatures of believers against the creation of the so-called SLC by administrative methods involving schismatics. Those who brought the first 10 thousand signatures to the Patriarch were added to the lists of the scandalous site "Mirotvorets" ("Peacemaker") as enemies of Ukraine, despite the fact that they simply defended their rights and the rights of the canonical Church.
