On the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a powerful message highlighting that true harmony can only arise from restoring what has been violated and recognizing a nation’s right to determine its own destiny. During a service on February 24, 2026, he warned against the notion that peace can be decided without the involvement of the people, equating such actions to a diplomatic guise for injustice.

During the commemorative service, Patriarch Bartholomew presided over a Divine Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts and conducted a memorial service for the souls of the war victims in Ukraine. Notably, the event was attended by various diplomatic representatives, including the General Consuls of Greece and Ukraine, as well as over 200 women relatives of victims, prisoners, and missing Ukrainian soldiers, signaling a communal recognition of the tragedies wrought by the conflict.

Bartholomew's remarks serve as a poignant reminder that each victim of war is not merely a statistic but a human life lost, reflecting the deeper implications of the ongoing conflict. His call for acknowledgment and remembrance encapsulates the continuing struggle for justice and peace in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for collective involvement in shaping the future. As such, the Patriarch's message resonates far beyond the religious context, appealing to a moral imperative for nations and communities to advocate for peace and support the rights of the oppressed.