According to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the autocephaly of the OCU was granted in the interests of “spiritual justice and freedom.” He said that the Tomos was not an act dictated by external forces or geopolitical interests. The head of the Phanar said this at a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainan Parliament and the Ukrainian politicians, writes “Romfea”.

“For decades, if not centuries, Ukraine has not been able to enjoy complete church independence from external influences. Until recently, many Ukrainians were not members of the Orthodox Church. The Mother Church of the Ukrainian people gladly responded to the numerous requests of the president, political authorities and even the parliament of your country to grant the Tomos of autocephaly,” said Patriarch Bartholomew.

“The Ecumenical Patriarchate has always rushed to the aid and support of the Local Orthodox Churches, whenever they faced trials. There is no freedom in separation, because true freedom can only be found in unity. This unity of Orthodoxy is in no way put to the test because of the response of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the request of the Ukrainian Orthodox. The tomos of autocephaly was an act of responsibility of the Mother Church to the millions of our Orthodox brothers and sisters who were outside the Church. And, of course, it was not an act dictated by external forces or geopolitical interests,” he said.

“Anyone who threatens to interrupt the Eucharist with the Ecumenical Patriarchate risks cutting himself off from the body of the Orthodox Church,” added Patriarch Bartholomew.