On January 15, 2026, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine met with Heiko Thoms, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine, at his residence.
According to the press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epifaniy informed the ambassador about the OCU's spiritual center, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, which features the Wall of Memory dedicated to fallen Ukrainian defenders, now recognized as a national memorial.
During the meeting, the Primate of the OCU also discussed enhancing cooperation, particularly in the humanitarian sector, and combating the Russian aggressor. He highlighted how attacks on the civilian population have intensified in the cold weather, with significant destruction of energy infrastructure.
Additionally, they addressed the situation of Ukrainian internally displaced persons who have sought refuge in Germany, as well as the fight against harmful Russian influences and disinformation.
The discussions also focused on religious issues, including the complete violation of the rights of believers not belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. They talked about the law banning the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, which is primarily a security measure, as the Kremlin exploits these entities to advance its criminal objectives. The process of communities transitioning to the OCU was also covered, along with isolated provocations created to misrepresent them as "persecution" and "harassment" to the international community. Furthermore, they discussed the role of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which firmly asserts that there is complete religious freedom in Ukraine.
In response, Ambassador Thoms assured Metropolitan Epifaniy that Germany would continue to support Ukraine, with a commitment to increase assistance in both humanitarian and military areas. He emphasized that Ukrainians are a nation fighting for freedom under the European banner.
Concluding the meeting, Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed gratitude to the ambassador and the people of Germany for their essential support during this challenging time of war.
"Today, we are united in defending the freedom of Europe. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Germany for its strong and unwavering support and significant assistance to Ukraine. We have chosen a European path for our development, in pursuit of freedom, where truth and the rule of law prevail over the Kremlin's dictatorship. As we continue to fight against external threats, we are also working to enhance our chances of joining the European community while maintaining our spiritual identity. As a Church, we advocate for a battle against internal evils such as corruption, which undermines both individuals and the state. I believe that with God's help and our collective efforts, we will achieve a just peace and prosperity. Together, we will prevail!" stated the Primate of the OCU.