On December 13, 2024, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All-Ukraine met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The meeting took place in Rome at the premises of the Council.
This was reported by the press service of the OCU.
Cardinal Koch congratulated the Head of the OCU on his visit. Metropolitan Epifaniy told the head of the Pontifical Council, which is responsible for inter-Christian relations on behalf of the Holy See, about the meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, which took place on the same day in the morning.
Metropolitan Epifaniy also informed Cardinal Koch about the events in Ukraine related to the Russian military aggression and the desire of the Ukrainian people to achieve just peace blessed by God. His Eminence emphasized the important role of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as a platform for constructive dialogue and fruitful cooperation between the leading religious communities of our country.
The Head of the OCU emphasized the good relations the local Orthodox Church of Ukraine has with Catholic Churches in our country, both Latin and Eastern rites.
Answering questions, the Primate spoke about the state of religious freedom in Ukraine and the systematic religious persecution carried out by the Russian occupation authorities in the temporarily occupied territories. The issue of changes in Ukrainian legislation related to the prohibition of the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious centers subordinate to the Russian regime, which are used as an instrument of hybrid aggression, was discussed separately.
At the end of the meeting, Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed his gratitude for the prayer for the victory of truth and peace in Ukraine.
The event was attended by a representative of the Pontifical Council, as well as persons accompanying the Head of the OCU during the visit. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Holy See Andrii Yurash also joined the conversation.
On the same day, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All-Ukraine paid a sightseeing visit to St. Peter's Basilica, where the compiler of the first complete original guide to this church in Ukrainian, Dr. Taras Dziubansky, spoke about the history and present of the church.