Speaker of Ukrainian Parliament expects Ecumenical Patriarch to grant Autocephaly to Ukrainian Church

“I believe that Ukraine must have the unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” said the Speaker of Parliament.

Chairman of Ukrainian Parliament Andriy Parubiy hopes that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will hear the appeal of the faithful and Parliament to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukrain, Depo.ua reported.

“I believe that Ukraine must have the unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” said the Speaker of Parliament.

He noted that the Ecumenical Patriarch is in the position to adopt the historic decision regarding the restoration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“I believe this issue to be of great importance. I am confident that the Ecumenical Patriarch will hear the prayers of millions of believers who are convinced that there should be no church schism in Ukraine. There must be unity in love of God and love for Ukraine... and he will hear us, as the Parliament of Ukraine, which joins the prayers and petitions of Ukrainian believers,” the speaker said.

As it was previously reported, the Parliament registered a decree to send an appeal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: MPs request him to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.