I pray for the church to continue to unite Ukraine with love and prayer - President to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine

"Your Beatitude, after the golden ink of His All-Holiness signed the text of the Tomos, tomorrow, after giving the Tomos, based on the decisions of the Unity Council of December 15, you will become the leader of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine recognized by the world Orthodoxy. The Church, which shows love and ensures the unity of the state," President Petro Poroshenko addressed Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epifaniy immediately after the ceremony of signing the Tomos by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

"I beg you and pray for the church to continue to unite Ukraine with love and prayer," Petro Poroshenko added.

The Head of State congratulated the Primate of the OCU on "the huge mission that many generations of Ukrainians have been waiting for, and which has fallen on your shoulders".

"Again, I emphasize that we will act solely with love and faith. Reading the preface of the book by His All-Holiness, I found interesting words: "The war in the name of religion is a war against religion”. I share your words, Your All-Holiness. And I want to say that it is by love and prayer that Ukraine is being united now. This is a great day. I am grateful to everyone involved," the President said.