The manager of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, told Strana that representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would not be present at state events dedicated to Independence Day if Patriarch Bartholomew was present there.

“We hear rumors that Patriarch Bartholomew is supposed to be present at various church and political events. There is also information that he will attend the prayer service in Hagia Sophia.

Usually the heads of religious organizations of Ukraine were always present there. In what status is Bartholomew invited there? We say that if Patriarch Bartholomew is there, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not be able to be present there. Our believers will not understand us.

We believe that he is personally responsible for the pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, for conflicts around churches and parishes, beatings of our people and other atrocities that occur. If he is here, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot take part there. And it turns out that our multimillion-dollar flock will also not be represented at this event. And we conveyed this position to the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and representatives of the office of the President of Ukraine.

Therefore, the choice here is for those who will organize it,” said Metropolitan Anthony.