Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will attend the summit, which will be held in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 and will be dedicated to the war in Ukraine. Heads and representatives of many countries around the world will participate in the international meeting, which will be held in Lucerne. The purpose of the forum is to “create a common understanding” on how to achieve a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with international law and the UN Charter,” the Swiss government said in a statement.
Patriarch Bartholomew received an official invitation from the President of Switzerland, which was handed to him by the head of the Consulate General of Switzerland in the city, Roland Bruhn, in the presence of the Ukrainian ambassador. The Patriarch also held a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirming the unconditional support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the war-torn Ukrainian people. For his part, the President of Ukraine heartily thanked His Holiness for his decision to participate in the International Conference and for his overall support for Ukraine.
Among the topics to be discussed at the summit is a proposal by a group of Russian and Ukrainian women for an “all for all” prisoner of war exchange. The women’s initiative was also supported by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who said after the Easter liturgy: “We pray for our brothers and sisters enduring hardships and sorrows, yearning for peace in the war-torn Middle East and long-suffering Ukraine, seeking reconciliation, justice and solidarity as a foundation In the same spirit, we stand behind the “Our Exit” initiative, advocating the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, especially on the occasion of the holy Passover, linking the idea of “peace from above” to “peace in the universe”. would be a very concrete expression of the power of the Resurrection”.
Illustration: Icon of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
