Patriarch Bartholomew calls for end of war in Ukraine

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as "the violation of human rights and the brutal violence."

Monday February 28 2022 02:48 pm

Reuters - Duvar English

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide and based in Istanbul, called for an end to war in Ukraine.

"We address another plea to end the war now. To immediately stop any act of violence, anything that spreads pain and death," Bartholomew said in a statement on Feb. 27.

In remarks posted on the patriarchate's website, Bartholomew condemned the invasion as "the violation of human rights and the brutal violence."

Bartholomew also voiced solidarity and support with the Ukrainian church, which was granted independence from Moscow, and "seriously suffering" Ukrainian people in his statement.

In 2019, Bartholomew granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, making it independent, in a historic split strongly opposed by Russia.