Patriarch Theodore: Decision on recognizing OCU came after fervent prayers
Patriarch Theodore said that he had chosen to recognize the OCU after fervent prayers, reflection and out of respect for the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria said that the decision to recognize the OCU came to him after fervent prayers and that he would do his best to help overcome the difficulties caused by this recognition, the Greek edition Orthodoxia.info reports.
In particular, the publication reports that in his last interview for the Sunday Voice newspaper, Patriarch Theodore assured that he would do everything in his power to help solve the problems of inter-Orthodox relations: “I will do my best to find a solution. And these efforts have just begun.”
In addition, the head of the Church of Alexandria said that the decision to recognize the OCU came to him "after a lot of prayers and reflection." He noted that all the synodals of the Patriarchate of Alexandria completely agree with this decision.
According to him, he “had to show that he is a real Patriarch who understands the seriousness of the problems and is trying to find a solution.” He noted that "the solution to the problem begins with the recognition that the problem exists."
At the same time, Patriarch Theodore emphasized that "he made his decision out of respect for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its history."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Greek media published a selection of statements by Patriarch Theodore about the UOC.