DECR MP: Phanar head’s visit to US may trigger church raiding in Ukraine

Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk. Photo: russian-expert.ru

Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, secretary of the DECR MP for inter-Orthodox relations, does not exclude an increase in the persecution of the UOC and new seizures of churches by schismatics from the OCU as a result of the visit of the head of Phanar to the United States, ria.ru reports.

“True, we do not exclude an increase in the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Church due to the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States,” Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk emphasized.

According to him, the Patriarch of Constantinople "one way or another will meet with people who oversee the Ukrainian project (OCU – Ed.) And, apparently, they will exchange views on further steps in the implementation of this project."

“If the point of view prevails that activity needs to be increased, then there will be more seizures of churches and other similar actions in relation to the believers of the canonical Ukrainian Church,” added the DECR MP secretary.

“The fact that the United States worked closely with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Ukrainian church affairs is not concealed by either side. Mr. Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State, when leaving his post, said that one of the main achievements in his career is the autocephaly of the OCU,” recalled Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, wondering that this is a priority for such a rank of an official of such a country.

The main point of this visit, according to the priest, is to reiterate the bond of the United States and the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

“As I understand, this visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States is intended to emphasize their closeness, to demonstrate that the United States, even after the change of administration, is the defender and patron of the Patriarchate of Constantinople – this is the main target of this visit,” said the representative of the Moscow Patriarchate.

As the UOJ previously reported, Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in the United States on a visit. In the United States, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with top officials of the state, including President Joe Biden and Head of the State Department Anthony Blinken. The visit will last until November 3.

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