Belarusian Orthodox Church condemns Constantinople's 'incursion into Ukraine'

The Holy Synod of Belarusian Orthodox Church issued a statement supporting the position of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in his dispute with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on the issue of autocephaly of a united Ukrainian Church.

The statement described the actions of the Patriarch of Constantinople as "anti-canonical aggressive interference" in the internal affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church, aiming "at disrupting the foundations of inter-Orthodox peace and unity."

The Holy Synod of Belarusian Orthodox Church resolved to support "with one heart and one voice the position of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Patriarch of Constantinople is preparing to recognize autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His appointment of two hierarchs - Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon and Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton—as “exarchs” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the city of Kyiv - triggered harsh protests from Moscow, which threatens with a schism in the Orthodox Church world.