WRONG!!!! Many Eastern European Orthodox outside of Russia regard Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as an EU/globalist puppet, and Russian Patriarch Kirill as a true spiritual leader.
The real problem is the very weak position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate—a small enclave in muslim Turkish Istanbul, subject to many crippling restrictions. It’s hard to avoid being a globalist puppet under those circumstances.
The botched “Council” in Crete (VERY disappointing to American Orthodox) shows just how weak and pro-globalist (even pro-”gay”!) the Ecumenical Patriarchate has become. Lord have mercy!!!!
Indeed. Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and all Africa (and coincidentally the next in line after Constantinople in the diptychs) has been crystal clear that he is having none of Barts papal pretensions and that as far as he is concerned there is only one canonical church in Ukraine until Moscow says otherwise.