Well-known theologian, Bishop of Constantinople Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Dioknisi Kallistos ware said, “I did not agree with the position taken by Patriarch Bartholomew” by the situation in Ukraine. He addressed this question in an interview for the web portal the Word theologian.
Metropolitan Kallistos ware considers it a historical fact that Ukraine is treated and treats the Russian Orthodox Church. “I agree with the opinion expressed by the Moscow Patriarchate, that Ukraine belongs to the Russian Church. In the end, the Kievan Metropolitanate under the agreement in 1686 was transferred under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate under the omophorion of the Moscow Patriarchate. And so for 330 years, Ukraine was part of the Russian Church. It certainly will not be a popular point of view in Constantinople, and I know that his all Holiness Bartholomew the Ecumenical Patriarch has a different opinion, but I definitely think that it was unreasonable on the part of the Patriarch of Constantinople, to declare unilaterally that the agreement in 1686 cancelled”.
Metropolitan Kallistos ware said he believes the error of the Ecumenical Patriarchate granting autocephaly to the two schismatic bishops Philaret and Macarius. The way out of this situation, he sees a meeting of the heads of all Orthodox Churches, since it is a problem that concerns all the Orthodox churches. “We may need again to convene the Holy and Great Council that two years ago gathered in Crete”.
On the other hand, Metropolitan Dioclese said concerned and disturbed about the actions of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church due to the fact that it was severed Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. “So I can’t fully agree with any of the parties. And I strongly pray that somehow there was a reconciliation,” – said Metropolitan Kallistos ware.