Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate visited the Head of the UGCC

The delegation, which arrived in Ukraine on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of independence on behalf of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, also included Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Patriarchal Deacon Epifaniy, and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael of Koman.

This was reported by the UGCC Information Department.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav warmly greeted the representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, calling their visit historic. “Today, on Independence Day of Ukraine, we greet you, Bishops, with a special mission from His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. I wish to express my filial gratitude to His Holiness for the respect for our Church and the relations we have established with him and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, especially over the past decade,” said the Head of the UGCC.

Metropolitan Job of Pisidia noted that His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew sent them to Ukraine at the invitation of the President on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of independence to serve and help in these trying times of war. “The purpose of our visit is also to promote understanding, peace and unity of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew has repeatedly asked us to visit you, Your Beatitude, to convey his love and fraternal greetings. We are glad that we were able to meet and exchange views as we work to fulfill the Lord's prayer: “That all may be one,” the Metropolitan said.

After a short prayer in the Patriarchal Cathedral, the delegation visited the underground section of the church, which has served as a shelter for Kyiv citizens since the beginning of the full-scale war, and prayed in the crypt for the repose of the servant of God Lubomyr Husar. His Beatitude Sviatoslav showed the guests the premises of the Patriarchal Curia, which became a center of social service during the war, as well as the new synodal hall.

During the private meeting, which was held in an atmosphere of warmth and brotherly love, important issues of interchurch dialogue at the global and local levels, church-state relations in Ukraine, the role of the church in Ukrainian society, and other matters were discussed. His Beatitude Sviatoslav drew attention to the main challenges faced by the Churches in Ukraine during the war. He emphasized the need to fight first and foremost for the temples of human souls and expressed concern about post-war secularization. The head of the UGCC also noted the important role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in fostering the ability to dialogue between Christians.

Additionally, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for supporting the call for the “all for all” exchange of prisoners. “It is our moral duty to alleviate the suffering of those who remain in captivity,” the Primate emphasized.

According to the UGCC, the meeting became an important step in strengthening relations between the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and its Mother Church, the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In conclusion, the parties exchanged gifts and expressed hope for further strengthening of relations and joint work to achieve unity among Christians around the world.