Odessa Vicar Speaks on Whether the UOC Is Negotiating with the Phanar
The Archbishop of Artsyz stated that online publications about his negotiations with Patriarch Bartholomew are a lie.
Archbishop Victor of Artsyz, vicar of the Odessa diocese, has commented on publications by anonymous Telegram channels accusing him and Archbishop Sylvester of holding secret negotiations with Patriarch Bartholomew. This is stated in a publication on the hierarch's Facebook page.
The hierarch called the accusations false and absurd, since he, as vicar of the Odessa Metropolitan, cannot act without the blessing of his ruling bishop and the Primate of the UOC.
"The 'facts' and 'information from reliable sources' published in this article are outright lies and slander. Neither His Grace Archbishop Sylvester, nor I, nor any other bishop of the UOC or cleric of the Odessa diocese has traveled to Constantinople or conducted any negotiations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. No surveys or consultations among the bishops regarding a change in the status of the UOC have been held either. Furthermore, I wish to note that I have never personally even met Patriarch Bartholomew," wrote Archbishop Victor.
The hierarch did not specify which publications or channels he was referring to.
As the UOJ reported, Patriarch Bartholomew: I was wrong about Ukraine, but I will not correct anything. This article examined the statements of the Patriarch of Constantinople on Ukraine and their possible consequences for the ecclesiastical situation.
The UOJ also previously reported that the UOC delegation held its last official meeting with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in June 2018.
