Phanar head: Ukraine is at war, therefore Local Churches should recognise OCU

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said that Local Churches should recognize the autocephaly of the OCU if they want to support the Ukrainian people in the war with Russia.
At the same time, the head of the Phanar noted that there is no connection between the war in Ukraine and the granting of autocephaly to the OCU.
"We call on all Orthodox autocephalous churches that have not yet done so to proceed with the recognition, showing in this way their support to the suffering Ukrainian people, and the Church of Russia to apologize for what it has caused Orthodoxy," the Orthodox Times quoted the Patriarch as saying.
He said the Constantinople Church reached out to Russia when it granted autocephaly to the OCU, but Moscow has only deepened the chasm between the two nations:
"The leadership of the Church of Moscow is trying to impose a new ecclesiology which is overthrowing the ecclesiastical order on the basis of new data. But he must understand that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the only guarantee for the unity of Orthodoxy. Without the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Orthodoxy will fall into the vortex of nationalism, into the introversion of self-sufficiency, into the contempt of the modern world.”
As earlier reported, the Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church refused to recognise the autocephaly of the OCU.
Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.