Zelenskyy meets with representative of Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople; Metropolitan Emmanuel is currently in Ukraine on a visit.
Source: Office of the President of Ukraine; President Zelenskyy’s video address
Quote from Zelenskyy: "As for the meetings I held today and that I can discuss publicly, I spoke with a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Emmanuel.
We are working at every level, and with every stakeholder in global relations, to implement the Peace Formula, which includes bringing back to Ukraine every child who has been deported from our land. I am grateful to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for its willingness to help [Ukraine in this effort]."
Details: Zelenskyy and Metropolitan Emmanuel also discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine’s "spiritual independence" and how to reach spiritual peace in the country.
Quote from Zelenskyy: "Our country is one of Christianity’s historical centres. And this will remain so. Ukrainian people have fostered a special framework for religious relations in their home: our country has a Council of Churches and Religious Organisations, which ensures that every [religious] community is respected, can communicate its opinions to the state, and can take part in addressing key public issues.
[Ukraine] will never allow the aggressor state to weaponise any of Ukraine’s religious communities.
Ukraine will endure and will preserve its independence in its every manifestation, including spiritual independence. And I am grateful to everyone in the world who supports our country and our people in this."
Details: Zelenskyy told Metropolitan Emmanuel that his visit was a crucial indication of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s support for Ukraine and its people in the full-scale war Russia is waging on Ukraine.
He added that "Ukraine" is one of historical centres of Christianity", and it will stay this way.
"I greatly appreciate the dialogue we engaged in with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during my recent visit to Türkiye. It was very important," Zelenskyy stressed.
He invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Ukraine.
Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed Patriarch Bartholomew’s good wishes to President Zelenskyy.
"We strongly support you in this difficult moment. You can rest assured of our support and that we will do everything we can in the name of the Ecumenical Patriarchate," he said.
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