Ukrainian media outlets on Friday welcomed what they said was a “serious blow” to Moscow after a historic decision by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Agence France-Presse: Ukraine hails Church independence move as ‘blow’ to Moscow
Orthodox officials are seen at the Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul during the meeting (synaxis) of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical throne. The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate said on Oct. 11, 2018 it had agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a move strongly desired by Kiev but which risks stoking new tensions with Moscow. - A synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, the former Constantinople.
