Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
“I had the honor to lead the delegation in Istanbul today. Together with Ukrainian heroes and heroines, in particular war medic Maryana Mamonova, Mariupol defender Kateryna Polishchuk (Ptashka), Azov Regiment serviceman Vladyslav Datchuk (Dotsent), border guard and Mariupol defender Ihor Kucher, border guard Valeriy Padytel, Vyacheslav Zavalnyi, and families of civilian hostages held by the Russian Federation since 2014, I met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,” the Ombudsman said, according to Ukrinform.
He noted that on the eve of the meeting, a service was held in the Cathedral of St. George, where a prayer was voiced for the victory of Ukraine.
During the meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the delegation discussed issues of peace.
Lubinets thanked the patriarch for the prayers and all-round support of the Ukrainian people, who are fighting for life, for the right to build their independent state, in which the norms of law and morality prevail. In addition, the ombudsman spoke about humanitarian problems and issues related to the repatriation of the seriously wounded, exchange of prisoners of war, and return of civilian hostages.
In turn, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that a letter has already been sent to the metropolitans who are in Europe so that they take spiritual care of the Ukrainians who are currently there. That is, every metropolitan that is under the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Europe was asked to and will do so.
In addition, Bartholomew recalled that in March 2022 he visited Poland, where he met some Ukrainians. According to him, it was a very bitter experience – to see people who were forced to flee their country. Also, a year before that, at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky, BArtholomew visited Ukraine.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew noted that he has full confidence in God’s will and the courage of the Ukrainian people, therefore he is confident in Ukraine’s victory. It will not be just a victory for Ukraine, but a victory for justice and truth.
As reported by Ukrinform, in October 2022 the First Lady Olena Zelenska of Ukraine, who was on a visit to Turkey, also met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.