Political expert: Visit of Phanar head promoted engagement of UOC believers

Political expert Dmitry Dzhangirov. Photo: screenshot of the First Cossack youtube channel

Political expert Dmitry Dzhangirov said on the 1Kozak youtube channel that thanks to the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine, the social engagement of the UOC believers has increased and the visit of the head of Phanar to Ukraine has lost its value.

“It was an inertial visit: the patriarch was invited, he came. The UOC showed its large size and political will, the position of rejection of Bartholomew was clearly expressed. The President decided not to aggravate the situation, therefore, Bartholomew was not present at the traditional event ("Blessing of Ukraine" – Ed.), his visit is virtually devalued, because if he had attended the above event, one could talk about the primacy of Bartholomew and the OCU in the Orthodox life of Ukraine. However, the efforts of the believers of the UOC and the “Miriane” organization largely defeated the purpose of the patriarch’s visit,” the political analyst noted.

According to him, the public activity of believers within the law does not in any way contradict the dogmas and principles of the Orthodox Church.

“Believers live within the framework of a secular society and state and have the right to defend their civil rights. Freedom of religion is one of the civil rights of citizens, granted by the Constitution, and they defend it, which is distressing for both the government and the tomos-bearing OCU. Why? Because without an administrative resource, the capacity of the OCU is minimal. The churches seized by the OCU are empty, while the churches of the UOC are overcrowded. At one time, Filaret (head of the UOC-KP – Ed.) was able to organize a procession with the cross around the Vladimir Cathedral, where about 300-400 people gathered. The Great Cross Procession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus this year made a painful impression on the leadership of the OCU,” added Dmitry Dzhangirov.

As the UOJ previously reported, Patriarch Kirill commented on the visit of the head of Phanar to Ukraine.

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