← News feed Church of Greece

The Metropolitan of Nea Ionia Gabriel on a solidarity mission to Ukrainetranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

The Most Reverend Metropolitan of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon Mr. Gabriel, representing the Church of Greece, participated in a solidarity mission of the World Council of Churches to Ukraine, which took place from 14 to 17 July 2026. The visit was held in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents more than 90% of all religious organizations and communities in Ukraine.

The delegation was also attended by the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Prof. Dr. JerryPillay, ο Πρόεδρος της Κεντρικής Επιτροπής του Π.Σ.Ε., BishopDr. HeinrichBedford-Strohm, Mrs. KarinvandenBroeke, as a member of the Central and Executive Committee of the P.S.E., as well as the General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach.

The purpose of the visit was the practical expression of the solidarity of the Churches and Christian Confessions towards the tested Ukrainian people, informing the delegation about the consequences of the ongoing war, as well as strengthening the...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (5) 🌐 Show original

Andreas Becker

It's a shame that the trip went to Ukraine, where so many Orthodox Christians are suffering. Metropolitan Gabriel at least saw concretely what the war was doing and didn't just talk about it in Geneva. Hopefully he can really carry this forward in Athens.

Claudia Wagner

I also think it's a shame that it's always only about one side. As an Orthodox Christian, I would wish that Metropolitan Gabriel had also visited the destroyed churches and the suffering believers on the other side of the conflict. Hopefully in Athens he tells the whole story and not just what the WCC wants to hear.

Ana Pavlović

It's a pity that everything was reduced to only one side, as Claudia wrote. Metropolitan Gavrilo saw the consequences of the war in Ukraine, but it would be good if he also visited those Orthodox churches that suffered on the other side. We hope that in Athens they will convey the whole picture and not just a part.

Nikola Todorović

I agree with you Anna, one-sidedness never helps. Metropolitan Gavrilo saw only part of the suffering, and he should also hear about those churches that suffered from the Ukrainian side, especially those under the Moscow Patriarchate. Let's hope that in Athens he will convey at least a little broader insight, and not only what PSE showed him.

Ana Kostić

Nika, I understand what you are saying, but it seems to me that Metropolitan Gavrilo still went there to see the people and churches that are suffering now, and not to count who shot whom first. I would also like to hear his personal impression when he returns, not just what PSE has prepared. What do you think, should we invite representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate to speak at our parish?