Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians, delivered a forceful defense of Ukraine's sovereignty during a Mass in Istanbul marking three years of war. Ukraine’s independence is non-negotiable, he declared, urging peace talks to treat Kyiv as an equal partner.
The patriarch praised President Zelenskyy’s efforts to protect Ukraine’s autonomy and criticized nations imposing their will on others.
No power can erase a people’s history,he stated, addressing families of missing soldiers like Tetiana Tantsiura, whose husband vanished in 2022.
Ukraine’s Orthodox Church split remains pivotal to the conflict:
- Bartholomew recognized Kyiv’s independent church in 2019
- Moscow-aligned branches severed ties with Constantinople
- 75% of Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians
Consul General Nedilskyi Roman thanked the patriarch for spiritual support that helped displaced families endure the crisis. Despite Russia’s claims of protecting Orthodox interests, Ukrainian religious leaders across denominations unanimously oppose the invasion.
