The UOC linked the persecution to the actions of the Patriarch of Constantinople

Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko) of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol said that the persecution of the Canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the result of the actions of the Patriarch of Constantinople and should be condemned in the Pan-Orthodox Council.

In his address to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the Metropolitan noted that the UOC has been persecuted for several years by radicals who desecrate and seize churches, attempt to burn them down and deprive tens of thousands of parishioners of normal church life. .

Metropolitan Luke believes that the Patriarch of Constantinople is responsible for all this, because it was according to his decision that the “Holy Church of Ukraine” – the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” was created from various structures not canonical, which have become the cause of excesses and thefts.

Luke accused Bartholomew’s supporters of using nerve gas against parishioners during the seizure of the Ivano-Frankivsk church. He also noted that since 2018, Patriarch Bartholomew has not spoken out against such anarchy.

The Metropolitan noted that faithful subjects of Bartholomew held a prayer in the captured church, allowing women to enter the altar freely, and that masked militants shouted insulting slogans against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He believes it looked like a manifestation of true Satanism.

Metropolitan Luke is convinced that the root of the Church’s unrest lies in the desire of the Patriarch of Constantinople to become pope for the Orthodox world. Metropolitan Luke asked that this issue be considered at the Pan-Orthodox Council, and that the day when this matter is resolved come as soon as possible.