Hierarch of the Antiochian Patriarchate Visits the Diocese of Donetsk

On May 8, 2025, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, Bishop Dimitrios of Safita, vicar of the Akkar Metropolis of the Antiochian Patriarchate, visited the Diocese of Donetsk. This was reported by the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The visit began at the Transfiguration Church in the city of Mariupol, which had been destroyed in 2022 and rebuilt within a year. The bishop was received by the rector, Archpriest Roman Razinkov. Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and Mariupol welcomed the guest with an address in the church.

Metropolitan Vladimir informed Bishop Dimitrios about the peculiarities of church life in Donbas under wartime conditions and the process of restoring destroyed holy sites. The delegation was accompanied by local deans from Mariupol and representatives of the Donetsk People’s Republic authorities.

The hierarchs then visited the Dormition Church, which had also been completely rebuilt after its destruction. The guests were greeted by the rector, Priest Valery Kravchenko. After prayer, a photo exhibition dedicated to the events of 2022 was presented, along with surviving icons.

The next stop was the St. Nicholas Cathedral, where a reliquary with the relics of St. Ignatius of Mariupol is kept. Bishop Dimitrios and Metropolitan Vladimir offered prayers at the holy site.

During the visit, Bishop Dimitrios gifted parishioners with icons of the Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer. After visiting the cathedral, a press briefing was held. Metropolitan Vladimir presented Bishop Dimitrios with a Paschal egg and the “Mariupol” icon of the Mother of God.

It should also be noted that Ukrainian religious commentators who promote the interests of the OCU in the media have previously accused the Antiochian Patriarchate of sympathizing with Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. According to these “experts,” the reason lies in substantial financial support allegedly provided by Russia to the Antiochian Church. This, they claim, explains why the Antiochian Patriarchate did not participate in the 2016 Council of Crete and later did not recognize the OCU.