With the blessing and personal participation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a Liturgy in Ukrainian was held in the Church of St. Nicholas in Istanbul.
This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul.
"With the blessing and personal high participation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Divine Liturgy was held in the Church of St. Nicholas in the Ukrainian language," the statement reads.
It is noted that the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Patriarchal Deacon Epifaniy and Father Metodiy, who was awarded the title of Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne.
"At the end of the Liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew awarded Hieromonk Methodiy (Voloshchenko) the title of Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne. His All-Holiness noted the virtues and merits of Father Methodiy, his great personal contribution to the unification of the Ukrainian parish not only in Istanbul but also in other cities of Turkey," the Consulate General reported.
The Consulate General congratulated the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Father Methodiy, and thanked His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his support of Ukrainians and Ukraine, for his prayers, warmth and love.