Patriarch of Jerusalem expresses support for canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem emphasized the importance of the unity of the Church and expressed his assurances in the continued support of the canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine. He said this on December 2 during a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, according to the DECR Communication Service of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Primate of the Church of Jerusalem also wished patience to the Orthodox people of Ukraine.

Patriarch Kirill said that the Bishops' Council of the ROC was very important in terms of understanding what is happening in Ukraine, expressed gratitude for the support of the canonical Church in Ukraine, and asked for his prayers to end disruption in Ukraine.

The Primate of the ROC noted the plight of the UOC, which "is called the Church of the aggressor country". "Rada now has discriminatory laws aimed at fighting our Church," he said, adding that one of the bills presupposes special state control over all personnel appointments in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was not even in the Soviet Union.