The Eastern Orthodox Church’s history is written in the Istanbul neighborhood of Fener. That’s where the patriarch of Constantinople, who as “first among equals” serves as the spiritual leader of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians, has been convening a council since Oct. 9 to address the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s wish to become independent, or autocephalous. Currently, the institution is part of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Deutsche Welle: Kremlin politics divides Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox churches
Patriarch Filaret (C) of the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church blesses a believer during a religious procession in Kyiv on July 28.
