Patriarch of Moscow called the inhabitants of Bukovyna “stronger than other nations,” as their identity has been preserved thanks to the Orthodox faith and God’s Grace, which they draw from the canonical Church.
According to UNIAN, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church was met at the airport by the head of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, Mykhailo Papiev, the acting Mayor of Chernivtsi, Secretary of the City Council, Vitalii Mykhailyshyn, Deputy Head of the Regional Council, Valentyn Manylych, a Ukrainian deputy, Vasyl Horbal. The delegation of the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate was led by Metropolitan Onufrii of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.
Upon his arrival, Patriarch Kirill visited the Department of the Chernivtsi Eparchy of UOC-MP.
During a conversation with journalists, the head of the Russian Church noted that he is visiting Bukovyna with great pleasure.
Patriarch of Moscow called the inhabitants of Bukovyna “stronger than other nations,” as their identity has been preserved thanks to the Orthodox faith and God’s Grace, which they draw from the canonical church. According to UNIAN-Religions, he expressed this opinion after the night service at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit of Chernivtsi.
“Bukovyna passed through so many historic troubles!.. But political systems and human establishments come and go but the faith in God, the Church attracts more and more souls. That is why the nation of Bukovyna has been preserved. Not because it was well-armed or had much money, not because it was stronger than other nations. But because it has preserved the Orthodox Faith. For it drew God’s Grace through the Church and by growing stronger in the faith it preserved itself,” said the head of the Russian Church.