Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, left, talks to members of the media following his meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, at the patriarchate in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordinartion on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
ISTANBUL (AP) - Ukraine's president has met the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, as some Ukrainian clerics prepare to break ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.
President Petro Poroshenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I spoke in Istanbul on Saturday, weeks after the patriarchate's Oct. 11 decision to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Russia in turn broke off ties with the Constantinople Patriarchate.
Poroshenko thanked the patriarch, who is the "first among equals" in the Orthodox world, for supporting the Ukrainian church's independence.
The Ukrainian church had been under the Russian Orthodox Church since 1686. Ukrainian clerics are now being forced to pick sides, to join the independent Ukraine Orthodox church or remain within Russian influence, as the fighting persists in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed rebels.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, right and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, left, pose for photos at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, following their meeting, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordination on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I sign an agreement following their meeting at the patriarchate in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordination on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, second left, is welcomed by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, left, at the patriarchate in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, left is welcomed by members of the clergy as he arrives for his meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, at the patriarchate in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordination on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I sign an agreement following their meeting at the patriarchate in Istanbul, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordination on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, stands at the patriarchate in Istanbul, as Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko leaves following their meeting, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, right and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, left, visit the Patriarchal Church of St. George, following their meeting, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Poroshenko and Bartholomew signed an agreement between Ukraine and the patriarchate, for their cooperation and coordination on the process of granting Ukrainian church its autocephaly.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
The Associated Press