The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine, meeting yesterday, Monday September 22, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at the Ukrainian delegation office in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The Patriarch, accompanied by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, emphasized the absolute support and solidarity of the Church toward the Ukrainian people, condemning Russia’s “brutal and aggressive war.” He also expressed his hope for a “victorious peace” that – as he said – should come as soon as possible.
Zelensky’s invitation to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
For his part, Zelensky invited the Patriarch to visit Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of spiritual and moral support provided by the Phanar’s presence, especially during a period when his country has been tested by nearly three years of Russian invasion.
“I thank the Ecumenical Patriarch for his support, his solidarity, his defense of Ukraine’s interests, his continuous prayers for all Ukrainians and his condemnation of the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has blessed the murder of Ukrainians,” the Ukrainian president stated in his post. During the meeting, the Patriarch presented the Ukrainian President with a book about Ukraine, written by Archbishop Elpidophoros.
I discussed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the ways to achieve a genuine peace and the further development of the church in Ukraine.
I informed him about the protection of religious freedom in Ukraine, shared details of our cooperation with the American team, and invited… pic.twitter.com/2XHsK8XWdq
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2025
