We pray for Metropolitans Pavel, Onufriy, Arseniy and our other brothers undergoing trials in Ukraine - Patriarch Theophilos

On September 17, 2024, while receiving a pilgrimage group at his residence, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem spoke in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The First Hierarch noted the feat of Ukrainian bishops who are going through trials, pointing to the need to resolve church crises and restore the unity of Orthodoxy. This is reported by the official website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

“We pray for Metropolitan Paul, Metropolitan Onufriy, Metropolitan Arseny and our other brothers who are undergoing trials in Ukraine, for His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, especially remembering the saying of St. John Chrysostom that “the Church is a ship,” it is the Body of Christ, “tossed but not submerged.” In this hope, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is making every effort to heal the broken unity of the Church and to preserve its unity,” — said His Holiness Patriarch Theophilus.

Recall that on September 12, 2024, the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church expressed support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — its Primate, clergy and faithful. The Synod of the MOC criticized the anti-church law adopted in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and called for prayers for a speedy resolution of the Ukrainian church crisis.