Constantinople, Jerusalem strengthen ties in response to Moscow decision

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has met with Ukrainian children whose parents died in Donbas, Ukraine's Consul General in Istanbul Oleksandr Gaman has reported on Twitter, orthodoxia.info reports.

"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has met with Ukrainian children whose parents died in Donbas, protecting our land. A paternalistically warm and pleasant meeting. Of course, every child received a gift from His All Holiness," the diplomat wrote.

Gaman also posted a video of this meeting in Istanbul.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Theofilos of Jerusalem—the latter through his representative in Istanbul, Archbishop Nektarios of Anthidon—gave a ‘history’ lesson last Monday night during celebrations on the eve of the patronal feast of the church of Jerusalem.

At the vespers service presided over Patriarch Bartholomew in the metochion church of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Istanbul, Archbishop Nektarios presented His All-Holiness a letter from Patriarch Theofilos containing a request from the church in the Holy Land for a new supply of holy myrrh.

Considering that holy myrrh, which is produced at the Phanar, is the next symbol of Orthodox unity after the common cup at holy communion, this request of Patriarch Theofilos is one of great significance. Indeed, through their correspondence, the two ancient churches of Constantinople and Jerusalem are sending a clear message to all within Orthodoxy.

Strength is in unity

In his response to the welcome address of Archbishop Nektarios, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the ancient ties binding their two churches, adding that, when necessary, patriarchs of Jerusalem would in the past take part in the decision-making process in Constantinople, especially if this concerned the future of the Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Bartholomew also noted that His visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate’s metochion “gives us all the opportunity to experience, once again, the mystery of the Church, that we are all One Body. Indeed, strength is in unity.”