Constantinople says Moscow has no grounds to organize celebrations of 10th century events that took place in Kyiv

According to the reply of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Russia's Patriarch Kirill, it will be in Kyiv where relevant celebrations will be held on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus, UNIAN reports.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has said Moscow has no grounds for organizing celebrations of the anniversary of certain events that took place in Kyiv in the late 10th century. Besides, Constantinople does not recognize the accession in the second half of the 17th century of the Kyiv Metropolis to the Moscow Patriarchate, according to a report posted on a Facebook page of the Ukrainian Local Orthodox Church, Information Resistance OSINT group wrote.

The report says Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received an official invitation from head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, to take part in the ceremonial events to be held in Russia dedicated to the "1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus." Read also Russian group to set up provocations during religious celebrations in Kyiv – media However Bartholomew replied that such participation of representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the events organized in Russia was impossible and inexpedient.

According to the reply of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the real holiday on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus will take place in Kyiv, and representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch will take part in the events on July 28. Ecumenical Patriarchate's representatives have been duly invited and the relevant delegation has been appointed. A rather sharp response of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the report claims, is due to a clear position regarding the lack of grounds for Moscow to organizing celebrations of historical events that took place in Kyiv at the end of the 10th century, and due to Constantinople's non-recognition of the "accession" of the Kyiv Metropolis to the Moscow Patriarchate in the second half of the 17th century.