Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church meets with Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Odessa

On June 24, 2021, Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail received Consul General of the Republic of Greece in Odessa Dimitrios Dohtsis at his official residence in the Monastery of the Holy Dormition.

During the meeting, the hierarch of the Orthodox Church informed his guest about the anti-canonical actions of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, which provoked persecutions against the Church, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists with reference to the Diocese of Odessa’s page in Facebook.

His Eminence Agafangel drew the attention of the high-ranking diplomat to the fact that schismatics groups, using the patronage and apparent support of the Ukrainian authorities and the anti-canonical actions of Patriarchate Bartholomew of Constantinople, stroke a blow to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the unity of Orthodoxy. ‘Without any conciliar discussion, unilaterally, in the spirit of papism, infringing the spirit and letter of the Orthodox unity, the so-called OCU was artificially created out of schismatic, pseudo-Orthodox, political and nationalistic groups. It caused disunity in the life of the Orthodox Sister Churches. The so-called tomos was presented by Patriarch Bartholomew to the leaders of the schism who did not repent for their misdeeds, were supported by the Ukrainian authorities, especially radical nationalists groups and also to the political leader who did not represent Orthodox Ukrainians’, he said.

He also noted that after the ‘tomos’ was presented, radicals and people who are far from the Church intensified their attacks against the canonical Church in Ukraine.

Commenting on the church developments in Ukraine, Mr. Dohtsis underlined that as a representative of the Hellenic Republic in Odessa, he believes that problems in relations between Orthodox Churches should be resolved on the basis of church canons.

His Eminence Agafangel asked the consul to convey to the Greek authorities an appeal of the majority of Ukrainian Orthodox Christian to help heal the schism tearing the Orthodox unity in Ukraine and in the whole world.

He emphasized that the Diocese of Odessa supported for many years and developed friendly relations with the Consulate General of the Hellenic Republic in Odessa. Many Greek diplomats, being Orthodox Christians, did much to strengthen inter-state and inter-Orthodox relationships. Above all, it concerns the deepening of manifold fraternal relations between peoples of Ukraine and Greece.

In conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Agafangel wished Mr Dohtsis God’s blessing in his work for the good of the peoples of Greece and Ukraine and consolidation of holy Orthodoxy, citing the words of the apostle, ‘Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them’ (Rom. 16:17)

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Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church meets with Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Odessa

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