Eastern Orthodox Church

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has signed a decree of independence for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) dignitary, who is at the helm of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, added that after the latest decision of its head, Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was "absolutely no longer considered as the supreme church authority by the SPC."

Ahead of the holiday, Patriarch Irinej issued his Christmas message, published below in its integral version.

The Serbian Orthodox Church to her spiritual children at Christmas, 2018

+IRINEJ

By the Grace of God

Amid mounting tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate is preparing to formally grant independence to the Church of Ukraine from Moscow in an Epiphany Day ceremony.

More specifically, Patriarch Vartholomaios will on Sunday give the tomos - the formal decree of autocephaly - to Metropolitan Epiphanius in Istanbul.

The gold of good deeds epitomises the greatest offering brought to the Christ Child, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR), Daniel, affirmed in his Christmas sermon at the Holy Mass officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral.

Five days before Christmas on December 20 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors Saint Ignatius the God-bearer (Saint Ignatius of Antioch), quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio. 

Ukraine chose the head of a new national Orthodox church on Dec. 15, marking an historic split from Russia which its leaders see as vital to the country's security and independence.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios on Thursday criticized as "unacceptable" a decision by the Russian Orthodox Church to sever eucharistic communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Alba Iulia, Dec 1 /Agerpres/ - The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, stated on Saturday in Alba Iulia, that the Great Union of 1918 is the 'celebration of freedom, unity and dignity of the Romanian people' and that all of Romania's citizens have the duty to keep and cultivate 'not only the gift of freedom, but that of national unity'.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios has defended the decision to grant independence to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Russian Church, which has upset relations with the Moscow Patriarchate.