Phanar's hierarch justifies his participation in NY Turkish Center opening
Archbishop Elpidophoros (far left) at the opening of the Turkish Center in New York. Photo: twitter.com/trpresidency
The head of the American Archdiocese of Phanar, Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), made excuses for his participation in the opening of the Turkish Center in New York.
The event, which was attended by Turkish President Recep Erdogan and the head of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, took place on September 20. As reported in the Greek media, Elpidophoros presence at the event caused discontent with the Greek, Cypriot and Armenian communities.
The Phanar hierarch tweeted that he congratulated Erdogan on the opening of the Turkish Center, stressing that "as always" he insists "on the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the re-opening of the Halki Theological School and supporting the rights of religious minorities of Turkey."
The UOJ wrote that the Greek and Cypriot authorities canceled meetings with the head of the Phanar Archdiocese in the United States.
Read also
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.