“The Patriarch of Jerusalem does not have the right to convene an Orthodox Synod,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Speaking to protothema.gr, he said: “The Ecumenical Patriarch is the one who convenes meetings of Orthodox Churches.”
The Metropolitan of Kyiv, speaking on the issue of the Inter-Orthodox Synod in Amman convened by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, pointed out, “The Patriarch of Jerusalem took the initiative to organise a meeting under the influence of the Patriarchate of Moscow.”
He added, “The Ecumenical Patriarch is the one who convenes meetings of Orthodox Churches. The Patriarch of Jerusalem has no right to convene such meetings. The response of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was clear. The Patriarch of Jerusalem took the initiative to organise a meeting under the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate, which continues to fight us. It is obvious that the Head of the Church of Ukraine should also attend such a meeting, as it is mentioned in the Tomos of Autocephaly signed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. We cannot discuss the issue of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy said to protothema.gr: “The Russian state, which is behind the Russian Church, is doing everything to hold us back. It is also trying to prevent other Churches from being recognised. That is what the Churches say themselves. However, despite the pressure, the truth will prevail. We want something feasible. We want to have an independent state with its own autocephalous Orthodox Church. As Greece has its own Church, we want to have our own as well.”