The restored Russian priest Fr. Ioannis Koval at the Phanar
![](https://vema.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-2023-07-07T124034.419.jpg)
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In the Communiqué of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the month of June 2023, we read:
The Holy Body examined, with the proposal of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the appeal made by Fr. Ioannis Koval, deposed by the Church of Russia, and, found that the reasons for which he was punished were not ecclesiastical, for his stance on the war waged against Ukraine, they therefore lifted from upon him the penalty of excommunication and restored him to the priestly rank he held (see Canon 9 and 17 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council). After this and following a written request of the same person, His All-Holiness receive the restored priest under his Omophorion, so that in future he may thereafter serve in the regions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (see the interpretation of Theodore IV Balsamon of Antioch in the 17th and 18th Canons of the Trullo Council and in the 10th of the Seventh Ecumenical Council).
Father Ioannis Koval, now a cleric of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, visited the Phanar during these days and received the blessing of the Primate of Orthodoxy, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The photo which is cited here is from the private meeting of Fr. Ioannis Koval with the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Source: fosfanariou.gr