In Izmir, Turkey, the Patriarchate of Constantinople plans to hold services in Ukrainian

Regular Orthodox services in the Ukrainian language will begin in the Turkish city of Izmir. The services will be held with the blessing of Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This was reported on Facebook by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul.

This event, according to the statement, marks the expansion of spiritual support for the Ukrainian diaspora living abroad. The services will be held in the Church of the Holy Martyr Photinia. The Consulate General invites everyone to actively participate in these services.

The next Sunday service is scheduled for January 25, 2026. It will be performed by Archimandrite Methodius of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, who is also the rector of the Ukrainian-speaking community in Istanbul. His participation emphasizes the importance of this initiative for the consolidation of Ukrainian believers in the region.

Earlier, Bishop Maksym Rudko, a hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople of Ukrainian origin, confirmed that since the provisions of the Tomos prohibit the OCU from establishing parishes outside Ukraine, Ukrainians in the diaspora will be cared for by clergymen under the jurisdiction of Phanar. Rudko noted that in order to implement such a plan, special bishops’ districts are being created in Europe, which will include parishes that take into account Ukrainian traditions and the language of worship.