Russia’s top diplomat on Oct. 13 called the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision to recognize the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s independence from Moscow a Washington-backed “provocation,” from which he vowed to protect “the faithful” in Ukraine if the schism sparks violence.
Voice of America: Moscow calls independent Ukrainian church US-backed ‘provocation’
Ukrainians drink wine at Independence Square in Kyiv on Oct. 12, 2018 as they celebrate a historic decision by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
