ISTANBUL (Reuters] – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Eastern Orthodox Christians called over the weekend for the opening humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, where he stated that an “indescribable human tragedy” is occurring.

Bartholomew has called previously for an end of war in Ukraine and said that this year’s Easter should be the “impetus to open humanitarian passages, safe passages into truly safe areas to thousands of people surrounded by Mariupol”.

Bartholomew, who is based in Istanbul said that “the same applies to all the other regions in Ukraine where an indescribable humanitarian tragedy is unfolding…

Russian Orthodox Church leader, who supported Moscow’s “special army operation” in Ukraine, has shocked many Christians. He said that he hopes it will end soon, but he did not condemn the action.

Bartholomew was the spiritual leader of around 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians all over the globe. He granted autonomy to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and made it autonomous, in an historic split opposed strongly by Russia.