The UOC linked the persecution with the actions of the Patriarch of Constantinople

Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko) of Zaporozhye and Melitopol stated that the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the result of the actions of the Patriarch of Constantinople and should be condemned at the Pan-Orthodox Council.

In his address to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the Metropolitan noted that the UOC has been persecuted for several years by radicals who desecrate and seize churches, try to set them on fire, and deprive tens of thousands of parishioners of a normal church life.

Metropolitan Luke believes that the Patriarch of Constantinople is responsible for all this, since it was according to his decision that the “Holy Church of Ukraine” – the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” was created from various non-canonical structures, which became the cause of excesses and robbery.

Luke accused Bartholomew’s supporters of using nerve gas against parishioners during the seizure of the church in Ivano-Frankivsk. He also noted that since 2018, Patriarch Bartholomew has not spoken out against such lawlessness.

The metropolitan noted that Bartholomew’s loyal subjects held a prayer in the captured church, allowing women to freely enter the altar, and masked militants shout insulting slogans against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He believes that it looked like a manifestation of real Satanism.

Metropolitan Luke is convinced that the root of the troubles of the church is the desire of the Patriarch of Constantinople to become pope for the Orthodox world. Metropolitan Luke called for this issue to be considered at the Pan-Orthodox Council, and for the day when this issue is resolved to come as soon as possible.