The Turkish Independent Orthodox Church has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's recent address to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as a crime against Turkey's territorial integrity and an “attempted rebellion” against its constitutional order. The church has called for accountability for both the Patriarchate of Constantinople, commonly referred to as the Phanar, and the external forces supporting it, according to a statement released by the church.
The controversy arose after Zelensky referred to Patriarch Bartholomew as the “Ecumenical Patriarch” during a phone conversation on August 21. The Ukrainian president later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he discussed the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, expressed gratitude for Constantinople's support, and praised ongoing cooperation with the Phanar.
"On August 21, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky once again referred to Bartholomew, the archpriest of the Greek Church of Constantinople, as the Ecumenical Patriarch and informed the world community that their cooperation continues. This act is a rebellion against the constitutional order of the Republic of Turkey, a crime on the international stage against its territorial integrity. The Phanar, which is attempting to assert its independence on our territory, and its internal and external supporters must be brought to justice immediately," stated Selcuk Erenerol, spokesperson for the Turkish Orthodox Church.
The Turkish Orthodox Church, founded in 1921, is officially registered as a religious entity in Turkey but is not recognized as canonical by other local Orthodox churches.
Patriarch Bartholomew has faced repeated criticism in Turkey for participating in international events with the title of Ecumenical Patriarch, a status that is not recognized by Ankara. In June, he attended a conference on Ukraine in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, where he spoke and signed the final declaration as Ecumenical Patriarch. The Turkish Foreign Ministry later denied that the Patriarch participated in the event with any state status and demanded explanations from the event organizers for including his signature under the final declaration.
Turkish authorities have reiterated that their position on the status of the Patriarch of Constantinople remains unchanged, based on the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty, which recognizes him solely as the head of the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey.
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Based on materials from TASS