Washington, D.C., October 15, 2024
Photo: oca.org
On Saturday, October 12, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, head of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in America, met with Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
The meeting, which began with a brief tour of the cathedral, focused on several critical topics including religious freedom, the Orthodox Church in America’s role in U.S. society and the broader Orthodox world, and global religious persecution, the OCA reports.
Their discussion emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedom both domestically and internationally, and addressed the growing concerns of persecution faced by Christians and other religious groups worldwide.
Presumably, their conversation touched upon the situation in Ukraine. Recall that the OCA 
OCA rejects recognition of Ukrainian schismatic church, continues to support, recognize only Met. OnuphryThe Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) released an archpastoral letter yesterday, January 28, concerning the Ukrainian crisis.
“>supports the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, rejecting the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
Met. Tikhon visited the persecuted UOC 
OCA’s Metropolitan Tikhon visits persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Romania, and Constantinople (+VIDEOS)His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in America, has been leading a delegation visiting Sister Orthodox Churches this month.
“>in June and concelebrated with His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and other Ukrainian hierarchs.
On the other hand, Brownback has 
U.S. Ambassadors Brownback and Pyatt discuss Ukraine with Archbishop of Greece, will meet with Athonite abbotsTwo American ambassadors already known as backers of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s canonical invasion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church met with His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece yesterday.
“>openly voiced support for the schismatic OCU and has worked to convince hierarchs to recognize it.
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