Patriarch Bartholomew feels like a father toward the Russian parish
On the feast of holy Apostle Andrew, the Patriarch of Constantinople addressed the Russian-speaking believers of Istanbul with the “father-to-children” words of love.
On December 13, after the liturgy in the Vatopedi Metochion of St. Andrew the First-Called in Galata, the head of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, in his address to believers noted that he was glad to be amid Russian-speaking society and felt the same as the father when he meets with his children. This was reported by Romfea.gr. site.
“Those who firmly believe in Christ and love Christ and all people are equal in the eyes of God are brothers before the Throne of God,” said the head of Phanar.
Speaking about the stay with the Russian-speaking flock of the city of Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that “he feels the joy that every father feels when he meets with his children, when he is with his family.”
According to the patriarch, he does not discriminate against Russians, Greeks, or other nationalities, since only the shared Orthodox faith is most important. In view of this, the patriarch recalled the decision of Constantinople to canonize St. Sophronius (Sakharov) and St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky) who had Slavic roots. The head of Phanar reminded the audience of the words from the Gospel: “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3:11).
As reported by the UOJ, the head of Phanar considers the recognition of autocephaly of the OCU a fait accompli, regardless of who and how may dispute it.
