Primates of Cypriot and Ukrainian Churches had a telephone conversation
This is reported by the OCU website.
The Primate of the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on his own behalf and behalf of the fullness of the Church, extended his gratitude for the accession of the Church of Cyprus to those Local Churches that complied with the Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU.
"We all rejoice at the establishment of the fullness of prayerful and Eucharistic communion between our local churches," Metropolitan Epifaniy stressed.
He also recalled his visit to Cyprus in April 2016 and a warm meeting with Archbishop Chrysostomos.
The Primate of the Church of Cyprus noted that due to the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is certified by the Tomos, all new autocephalous churches received their autocephalous status. Therefore, there is no reason to question the Tomos of autocephaly of the Church of Ukraine.
Archbishop Chrysostomos expressed his confidence that other local churches, including the Russian one, should accept the fact that the Ukrainian Church had been granted a Tomos and added to the diptych of autocephalous churches.
"We remember your holy name at the Liturgy among the names of the Primates of autocephalous churches after the name of the Metropolitan of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and wish you, our beloved brother, a successful ministry," the Archbishop of Cyprus said.
His Beatitude Chrysostomos also invited Metropolitan Epifany to make a visit of peace to the Church of Cyprus.
"All countries are currently in difficult circumstances due to the pandemic, but I ask your Beatitude to remember this invitation, we will be glad to see you in Cyprus and offer you a prayer," the Primate said.
In turn, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy thanked for the invitation and spoke about the current circumstances of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the attitude of society and the state towards it, and relations with other religious communities.
"The Ukrainian society was pleased to hear that Your Beatitude was remembered in the diptych the name of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which attests the full communion of the two Churches. The news about this event was widely covered by all the mass media, and everyone with whom I have to communicate these days congratulates our Church on this and warmly thanks Your Beatitude," the Metropolitan said.
The Primate of the OCU wished Archbishop Chrysostomos good health, recovery from his illnesses, long blessed years of ministry, and peace and prosperity to the God-loving Orthodox people of Cyprus. The Primate of the Church of Cyprus thanked for the wishes and mutually wished the primate and the church and the whole of Ukraine all the best.
