Zelensky told Patriarch Bartholomew about the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

On August 21, 2024, Volodymyr Zelenskyy recorded a new video message in which he spoke about his telephone conversation with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Zelensky informed Bartholomew about the adoption of Law No. 8371, through which the head of state plans to strengthen “spiritual independence” in Ukraine. The corresponding video was published on Zelensky’s Telegram channel.

“I spoke with Patriarch Bartholomew. I thanked him for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians, our defense and our independence. I informed him about the adopted law to strengthen our spiritual independence. It is very important that we have a common understanding of the unifying potential for Ukrainian Orthodoxy that this law provides. Everything is provided for this – quite enough to really get rid of dependence on Moscow and add unity to Ukraine,” – Zelensky said.

As reported earlier, a delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople arrived in Ukraine on August 21, 2024. The purpose of the visit is called “finding ways of understanding between the Orthodox of Ukraine and dialogue to achieve unity in the church issue.”