President Poroshenko and Prime Minister of Ukraine Yatsenyuk expressed condolences to the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church on the death of Head of the Diocese Archbishop Gregor Buniatyan.
"It is with a deep sorrow that I learned of the death of Archbishop Gregor Buniatyan. A prominent church leader, spiritual leader of the Armenian community in Ukraine reposed in the Lord. He has made much effort in the development of church-state relations and constructive interfaith dialogue. We will keep bright memory of him in our hearts forever. May he rest in the Kingdom of Heavens," the President’s condolence goes.
Prime Minister Yatsenyuk noted that Archbishop Gregor Buniatyan was a folk Ambassador of Armenia to Ukraine and of Ukraine to Armenia.
"I bow my head to the memory of Bishop Gregor Buniatyan. The Head of Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church was not only sympathetic and hearted father to his flock, the undisputed authority of the Armenian community in Ukraine, but also an active participant of public, social and cultural life. He was a real popular Ambassador of Armenia in Ukraine and of Ukraine to Armenia,” wrote the head of government.
Representatives of Ukrainian churches, UGCC Patriarch Sviatoslav and Primate of the Kyiv Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret also extended their condolences to clergymen and laymen of the diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
“It is with a deep sorrow that we’ve learnt the news of the repose in the Lord of your bishop, Archbishop Gregor Buniatyan.
We will forever remember in our hearts his humanity, sincerity and openness to all people of good will, Christian empathy for the suffering, especially - his boundless love for his long-suffering Armenian people, which inspired all of us - children of the Ukrainian nation - to serve God and Motherland with the same dedication.
In this sad moment we offer our sincere condolences to the clergy and flock of the Diocese, relatives and friends of the late Archbishop, we joint you in prayer that the Lord graciously received in the Kingdom of Heavens,” said in his letter to the UGCC Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).
“Bishop Gregor adequately performed ministry entrusted to him, did much to strengthen the friendly relations between the Ukrainian and Armenian peoples, between our Church and the Ukrainian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, worked fruitfully in the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. His sudden repose echoed in the hearts of all who knew him as a wise and sincere person and worthy Archbishop of the faithful of the Armenian Church,” said Patriarch Filaret.