Ukraine's president met the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople today, as some Ukrainian clerics prepare to break ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the VOA News website.
President Petro Poroshenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I spoke in Istanbul today, after the patriarchate's October 11 decision to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As a result, Russia broke off ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Poroshenko thanked the patriarch, who is the "first among equals" (among patriarchs) and is considered the ex officio leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Ukrainian Church had been under the Russian Orthodox Church since 1686. Ukrainian clerics are now being asked to join the independent Ukraine Orthodox Church or remain affiliated with Russia.
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