{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Poroshenko-led church council will have no canonical force, vows UOC

In October, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople decided to proceed with granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church

© AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

KIEV, December 14. /TASS/. The ‘unification council’ to create a new Local Church in Ukraine, scheduled to be held on December 15, will be illegitimate and its decisions will have no canonical force, Archbishop Clement, Chairman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) Synodal Information Department, told TASS on Friday.

"From the standpoint of Orthodox Christian religious doctrine, this council is not a legitimate church event, and those who are going to take part in it and their decisions will have neither church significance nor canonical force whatsoever," he said, adding that the stance on the non-recognition of the ‘unification’ council and its potential decisions was outlined at the UOC Bishops’ Council and Holy Synod.

Read also

Breakaway clerics pick candidate for chief bishop of Poroshenko’s ‘new’ church — media

He also stressed that the UOC’s bishops had earlier decided against recognizing the ‘unification’ council, and, if any of them take part in that event, that should indicate that pressure was exerted on them. "I am unaware which of the UOC clerics will attend the so-called council. The UOC’s bishops decided that it was not a legitimate church event, and 83 bishops put their signatures to that statement. It would be strange if, after that statement was approved, they acted contrary to their stance. That would only show that pressure was put on them," he pointed out.

Church crisis in Ukraine

Kiev has attempted to create a Local Orthodox Church in Ukraine independent of the Moscow Patriarchate since 1991. In April 2018, Poroshenko wrote a personal letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople asking for autocephaly for the Ukrainian church.

In October, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople decided to proceed with granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church. It revoked the 1686 decision on transferring the Kiev Metropolitanate under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate and announced plans to bring it back under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It also reinstated the heads of two non-canonical churches in Ukraine, Filaret of the Kiev Patriarchate and Makariy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church, to their hierarchical and priestly ranks.

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church said in response to that move that full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was no longer possible. The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church made a similar decision.

On December 5, Poroshenko announced that the so-called unification council to create the Ukrainian autocephalous church would take place on December 15. He said that Patriarch Bartholomew had sent letters to bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church "inviting them to take part in that historic event." However, bishops from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), taking a cue from Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, upon receiving these invitations promptly returned them to their sender.

Coronavirus pandemic

Mir-19 drug efficient against XEC version of coronavirus — agency

The mechanism of its action is based on suppressing virus replication within a cell

Captured soldier urges countrymen to get out of Ukraine

Vasily Kozub surrendered without a fight when Russian troops entered his dugout

Israeli strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah leader’s daughter — TV

According to the broadcaster, Zainab Nasrallah repeatedly made public statements about loyalty to Hezbollah’s aims

Russia assumes that Putin’s remarks on nuclear doctrine were heard — Lavrov

The minister added that the West’s decision regarding authorization for strategic-depth strikes on Russia with Western weapons "will show how they understood what they had heard"

Guterres did not mention possible reduction of Russian, US nuclear arsenals — Lavrov

"He sometimes does make statements that clearly do not fit in with the realities that exist on the international scene," the Russian foreign minister remarked

Russia puts Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region over past day at 400

According to Russia’s top brass, Russian warplanes and artillery forces struck concentrations of enemy troops and weaponry in as many as 17 localities in the borderline region

Russian military helicopter crew wipes out Ukrainian troops, armor in Kursk area

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strike was carried out by air missiles against previously reconnoitred enemy targets

Ukrainian armed formation trapped near Selidovo in DPR — security forces

"Heavy combat is underway with all logistics being cut off on that section of the frontline," the source said

Finnish president wants to be more Ukrainian than Ukrainians — Lavrov

" I know that Kiev's officials never stop speculating about the illegitimacy of the Russian Federation, because the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was written down in the UN Charter," the Russian foreign minister said

Lavrov slams Kiev’s ties with Mali terrorists as banditry

"We will do our best to support African countries, who want to choose their own ways and paths to development," the top Russian diplomat added

Russia had to revise nuclear doctrine amid West’s reckless push for escalation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, "revisions have been made and will be formalized now."

Unlike West, Russia has no ambitions for hegemony in Asia-Pacific — Lavrov

The United States want to rule the so-called Indo-Pacific area by creating various blocs such as AUCUS and QUAD, the Russian foreign minister said

Iran's supreme leader moved to secure location amid reports of Hezbollah chief’s death

According to the media outlet, the move was part of tightened security measures

About thirty people harmed in two fires in Germany — DPA news agency

Children are among the victims

It’s up to Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders to decide if they want to meet at BRICS — Lavrov

"If they want to meet <...> we are always ready to do what was agreed with our participation," the Russian foreign minister added

Putin announces transition to national currencies in export payments

The President noted that Russia's partners were interested in it to the highest degree

Turkey unable to resell S-400 to third countries without Russia’s consent — Lavrov

There is the end-user certificate, which is part and parcel of the arms supply contract, the Russian foreign minister noted

Ukraine’s poorly trained new recruits often flee their positions — newspaper

"The commanders estimated that 50 to 70% of new infantry troops were killed or wounded within days of starting their first rotation," the report said

Lavrov urges probe into Israel's mobile device attack on Lebanon

The United States had prior knowledge of Israel’s preparations for the explosions of mobile devices, noted the Russian Foreign Minister

Gazprom warns Naftogaz about possible Russian sanctions if transit trial continues

Gazprom also believes that the current circumstances deprive it of its fundamental right to a fair and impartial hearing in court

Germany keeps ignoring Russia’s requests for information about Navalny’s health — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia had rushed to transfer the blogger to Germany for treatment without bothering with the necessary formalities

All resistance forces in Middle East support Hezbollah, Iranian supreme leader says

The entire resistance front in the region is on Hezbollah’s side and supports it

Dagestan declares Saturday day of mourning for victims of explosion at gas station

State flags will be lowered throughout the region

Right to nuclear retaliation is no message to the West

The key factor of the updated doctrine is that Russia retains the right for a retaliatory nuclear strike in response to an aggression with conventional forces and arms against it, Igor Korotchenko stated

Through West’s fault it is impossible to reset global cooperation — Lavrov

Russia’s initiatives on Eurasian security and independent payment mechanisms are receiving good feedback worldwide, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

FACTBOX: What is known about gas station explosion near Makhachkala

Dagestan’s Interior Ministry said that five people died in the explosion, and ten more were injured

China deeply concerned over growing escalation in wake of death of Hezbollah leader

Also, China called on the conflicting sides, especially Israel, to take urgent measures to cool tensions and prevent the conflict from expanding or spiraling out of control

Iran calls on UN Security Council to convene urgent meeting

The country will not hesitate "to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests," Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said

Spiral of violence escalates beyond Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreighn Minister, conflict at Lebanon-Israel border areas echoes in other parts of the region

US, UK prepare Europe for suicide venture against Russia — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister pointed out the "pointlessness and danger of the very idea to fight to victory with a nuclear power like Russia"

Evacuation of Ukrainian troops from Ugledar urgently needed, military expert says

Vladislav Seleznev underscored that the Ukrainian troops are in a "critical shortage" of resources, necessary to counter the Russian forces on this swath of the frontline

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Turkish government to discuss alternatives to Russian Mir payment system — source

At the moment, there is no information about the decisions made

Russia’s Avangard hypersonic missile system to go on combat alert in December — top brass

The new weapon was unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on March 1, 2018

US trying to drive wedge between Russia, Ukraine for years, says Assange

He recalled numerous warnings on the part of Russia that the attempts to bring Ukraine into NATO might trigger a civil war in that country

Hezbollah movement confirms death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah — statement

The movement also vowed to continue its fight against Israel

Russia's Su-35 backs up jets striking Ukrainian hardware, facilities in Kursk Region

"During combat missions, Su-35S fighter crews patrolled the assigned area and provided cover for bomber and attack aircraft, as well as army aviation helicopters, during air strikes on Ukrainian military facilities and equipment," the defense ministry stated

US to never absolve itself of responsibility for Nasrallah’s assassination — Pezeshkian

Iranian President claimed that the order to assassinate Hezbollah leader was given from the US

Nuclear arms to be used as soon as NATO attacks Belarus, Lukashenko says

According to the Belarusian leader, Minsk is getting ready for such a development

Some foreign mercenaries in Kursk Region already eliminated — army

Major-General Apty Alaudinov noted that it should not be surprising that many mercenaries had come from countries considered friendly to Russia

Ukraine loses over 2,980 military personnel in responsibility zone of battlegroup West

The group’s units improved their positions along the front line, defeating formations from six Ukrainian mechanized, tank, and assault brigades, as well as two defense brigades and a brigade of the National Guard

Russia wants to save people’s lives in Middle East — Lavrov

"As a result of the campaign for collective punishment of the Palestinians, which is now being conducted by Israel, <…> 41,000 Palestinian civilians were killed and around 100,000 were wounded in just about a year, since October 7, 2023," the Russian foreign minister said

EU fears world war, interested in Brazil-China peace plan — newspaper

According to the sources, officials from a number of countries, including EU members, contacted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York

Israeli Air Force attacked dozens of Hezbollah facilities — IDF

According to IDF, the Israeli military hit hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past day

Lavrov blasts France’s idea to limit veto power in UNSC as shameless move

"Britain and France themselves generally play along with those who want to force the process," the Russian foreign minister pointed out

Remarks about preparations for war with Russia mirror West’s position — Kremlin spokesman

Germany has developed an operational plan for a war with Russia; NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer said that a conflict was highly likely, while Chief of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces Major General Vahur Karus even highlighted Tallinn’s readiness to conduct a pre-emptive strike

West, not Russia, to blame for blocking work of UN bodies — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister drew attention to the fact that the West, in pursuing its policy of hegemonism, continues to escalate confrontation

UN Secretariat invents excuses for promoting Western narratives — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that in pursuit of retaining its dominance Washington was impeding the normal work of the World Trade Organization for dispute settlement and reform of the Bretton Woods institutions

Pentagon eyeing new troops deployment in Middle East — TV

There are about 40,000 US troops in the Middle East for the time being

Falling drone debris damages four private homes in Lugansk

There were no civilian casualties resulting from the attack

Russia, Turkey need better coordination between legislatures — Turkish parliament speaker

Among other things, hurdles to the work of the special commission on cooperation between the Russian Federation Council, or the upper house of Russia’s parliament, and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, a body established five years ago, must be removed

Russian forces destroy long-standing Ukrainian stronghold — politician

"This is significant because the stronghold allowed Ukraine to control a fairly large area in the Orekhovo direction," Vladimir Rogov said

Russian forces carry out group strike on Ukrainian army’s airfield infrastructure

The attack involved high-precision long-range weapons

Press review: Putin sends nuke smoke signal to West and China shows off military might

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 26th

Israel may be seeking to dominate southern Lebanon, expert says

According to a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law Francis Boyle, "Israel's on a rampage here"

Two Russians were on helicopter that crashed in Pakistan — Russian embassy

The Russian diplomats have no information about their condition at the moment

Elimination of mercenaries, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy lost more than 17,750 people during the fighting

Mir-19 drug efficient against XEC version of coronavirus — agency

The mechanism of its action is based on suppressing virus replication within a cell

Russian volunteer recounts poison gas exposure while evacuating WWII veteran near Kursk

In mid-August, Kursk Region Governor Aleksey Smirnov told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine used chemical weapons in the region’s Belaya District

Houthis claim missile strike at Tel Aviv Airport during Netanyahu’s return

According to the spokesman, the strike was carried out via a ballistic missile in response to Israel’s action in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon

Russian forces liberate Makeyevka in LPR

Also, the battlegroup struck Ukrainian troops from four brigades and enemy weaponry in the Kharkov Region

Helicopter with Russian pilots crashes in Pakistan, there are casualties — Geo TV

At least six people died and eight others were injured, the TV channel reports

Ukraine loses over 370 troops, eight armored vehicles in Kursk area in past day

Over the past day, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 370 troops, eight armored vehicles, including a tank, two US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and five armored combat vehicles

Putin, Erdogan achieve firm friendship between Russia and Turkey

Head of states laid the foundation for starting implementation of the whole range of common goals in many spheres, including joint energy projects and cooperation in spheres of culture and tourism, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmus said

Chinese foreign minister urges US to stop imposing sanctions on Beijing over Ukraine

Wang Yi warned the US against using the issue of Ukraine to foment block confrontation

BRICS considers further expansion inappropriate for now — Lavrov

More than 20 countries wish to become partners and about 10 more wish to maintain permanent contacts, the Russian foreign minister said

Moody’s downgrades Israel’s ratings to Baa1

According to the agency, the move stems from the escalation of Israel’s conflict with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah movement

Kiev's 2025 arms deliveries at risk due to lack of money from allies — news agency

According to the media, some allies are experiencing difficulties with financing and others are refusing to increase financial aid to Kiev

Global South voices concern over risk of further escalation of Ukraine crisis

The platform calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter

Almost 90% of oil supplies to Europe redirected to other countries — Novak

"We directed the greater portion to the Asia-Pacific Region, to Africa, to Latin America - where energy resources are in demand at present," the official said

US military base in Syria comes under shelling — TV

According to Al Mayadeen channel, missiles and drones were launched against the base

Drought-stricken Botswana to kill, eat 20,000 elephants unless Germany takes them — report

Mokgweetsi Masisi pointed out that Botswana was facing its "worst drought in 50 years," causing widespread famine among the people

Trump says he will visit Ukraine

The US Republican presidential candidate did not specify when he planned to make a trip to Ukraine

Four strong explosions in southern Beirut during Israeli Air Force attack — TV

According to the Al Jadeed сhannel, heavy explosions were in the residential property area

IRGC deputy commander Nilforushan killed in Israeli airstrike at Beirut — Mehr

The news agency reported it without providing any additional details

Turkey’s entry to BRICS to benefit entire world — speaker of parliament

Numan Kurtulmus noted that republic is the member of many international organizations

Biden’s remarks on Nasrallah’s assassination reflects US’ approach to conflicts — Lavrov

The US President said that this was a right decision

Russia says its military repairmen retrieved US-made MaxxPro from battlefield

According to Defense Ministry, the American armored vehicle was destroyed by an FPV drone unit of the battlegroup Center’s special-purpose unit

Russian forces wipe out concentration of enemy troops in Kharkov region

Crews manning heavy flame thrower systems opened fire at the enemy after the Russian battlegroup detected camouflaged Ukrainian positions

Hungary open to talks on space program with Russia’s Roscosmos, says top diplomat

"I negotiated a lot with Mr. Rogozin," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted

Presidential aide warns West against trying to kick out Russia from Baltic Sea

Nikolay Patrushev added that in violation of international rules, Russian ships are disconnected from the satellite communication network, which creates risks to the safety of navigation

Biden announces need for ceasefire on Israeli-Lebanese border

"We’re responding," Biden noted when answering the question whether the US reacts to attempts of hitting its warships by missiles in the Red Sea

Turkey, Syria have ideas for dialogue, this applies to Kurdish issue as well — Lavrov

Russia will work to prevent the Middle East conflict from spilling into other countries, the Russian foreign minister added

Biden questions Zelensky’s decision to attack Russia’s Kursk Region — media

The US president is also "somewhat dubious about Zelensky’s 'victory plan,'" which the latter presented to him during a visit to Washington on September 26

Moscow court to hear case of 73-year-old American accused of fighting for Ukraine

Under the influence of Ukrainian media, Stephen Hubbard joined the Ukrainian military without fully understanding the situation

Iran to take measures following Israeli strike on Beirut — president

Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the families of all people killed

Russia says its Ka-52M helicopters take out Ukrainian troops, equipment in Kursk Region

According to the ministry said, the strikes on the previously detected enemy targets were delivered with air-borne missiles

Not a single project of peaceful settlement in Ukraine to be successful without Russia

There can be no new security architecture in Europe without participation of Belarus, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov also said

Russia calls to put an end to murder of Palestinians with US-made weapons — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister also said that a group of countries is trying to embroil Iran into a conflict in the Middle East in an attempt to provoke a major war in the region

Nasrallah’s elimination to help bring home people of Israel’s north — Netanyahu

"As long he was alive, Nasrallah could promptly restore the Hezbollah potential, which we undermined," the Israeli Prime Minister said

Nasrallah assassinated by Israel due to ‘huge arsenal’ created by him — IDF

Israel had been conducting extensive intelligence surveillance since 2006 to understand Hezbollah, the IDF spokesperson said

Ukraine shrinks each time talks with Russia are disrupted — Lavrov

Russia is glad to see any initiatives concerning the Ukrainian settlement, including the one proposed by former US President Donald Trump, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia to help Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia with reconciliation, if need be — Lavrov

"It is obvious that the current Georgian leadership is honest about the past," the Russian foreign minister noted

Death toll from gas station explosion in Russia’s Dagestan rises to 13

Another body has been found

Turkey expects Akkuyu nuclear plant to go live in 2025

This project is not merely an important sphere of interaction between the two countries but is also critical for Turkey’s energy security, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmus added

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Serbian sniper says Russia fights against 50 countries led by UK, US, France

According to Dejan Beric, fighters from these countries and their equipment are directly involved in the conflict

External forces want to wipe Georgia off world map with opposition’s hands — ruling party

According to the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the UNM party founded by the former president, Mikhail Saakashvili, and the political, non-governmental and media organizations gathered around it are "pressing for the interests of external forces and trying to drag Georgia into the horrors of war"

Israeli army calls up three reserve battalions

It is done in accordance with the situational assessment

Temporary base of mercenaries hit near Ukraine’s Odessa

Meanwhile, explosions have also been reported in the city of Sumy in southeastern Ukraine