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Bartholomew welcomed Zelenskyy in Fener and wished abducted Ukrainian children return home
After meeting Erdoğan at Dolmabahçe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and held a private meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew for about an hour. According to the Patriarchate, this was Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to Fener since taking office.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul’s Fatih district on Saturday, October 31, after meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Working Office and holding a joint press conference. Zelenskyy was accompanied by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
According to the Patriarchate, this was Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to Fener since he was elected president; his previous visit took place in early April. The private meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew, who warmly welcomed Zelenskyy, lasted about an hour at the Patriarchate. Metropolitan Emmanuel of Kadıköy, Metropolitan Grigorios of Ankara and Epifanios, a clergyman of Ukrainian origin, also attended on behalf of the Patriarchate.
Emphasis on prayers for peace and children
According to the Patriarchate, Bartholomew reiterated the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s support for the people of Ukraine, who are being tested by war. The Patriarch said the “Mother Church” prays for peace and justice to prevail in Ukraine and for all conflicts to be resolved peacefully, adding that they support every initiative in this direction. Bartholomew also repeated his wish, as he has expressed on every occasion, that the thousands of abducted Ukrainian children return home as soon as possible and reunite with their families.
Zelenskyy thanked the Patriarchate and Bartholomew on behalf of his country for their constant support and prayers. The Ukrainian leader also congratulated Bartholomew, who will mark the 35th anniversary of his patriarchate on November 2.
Zelenskyy: I described our contacts with the American side
In a statement after the meeting, Zelenskyy said he had briefed the Patriarch on the work they were conducting with partners to achieve peace, including contacts with the U.S. side. Zelenskyy said he also informed Bartholomew about Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure and reported that the humanitarian operation to evacuate civilians from Oleshky, under Russian control in the Kherson region, had been discussed. Zelenskyy said, “This is a very important result. We hope the world will continue to pressure Russia to expand such steps that reduce tensions.”
After the meeting, Bartholomew went to the Throne Room, where he blessed the other members of the Ukrainian delegation and accompanied Zelenskyy to the Patriarchate’s entrance. Zelenskyy left the Patriarchate under tight security.
Images: Nikos Papahristu / Ecumenical Patriarchate
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