Patriarch Bartholomew said that Phanar “made the Russians Christians, not to mention the fact that he civilized them,” and they started a “war of slander.” He said this in an interview given on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his election as Patriarch of Constantinople, writes Orthodox times.

According to him, the “slanderous war” is being waged against him personally, and the “slanderous campaign against the historical duties” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which “creates a feeling of fear and unwillingness of other Churches to identify and not join the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

“From this point of view, we were certainly upset at Phanar with the initiative of a“ fraternal meeting ”in Amman,” he added.

According to him, he is “under pressure” from those who want him to yield to the “secular demands of those who, in the face of our canonical and historical arguments, demonstrate their economic and secular strength and power, even in relation to Churches that are politically dependent” their kind word. ”

However, according to Bartholomew, he “does not give in to pressure”.