On Wednesday, March 23, in Kyiv, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church met with His Beatitude Epiphanius, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The meeting took place at the request of the Head of the UGCC.
The participants of the meeting, once again categorically condemning the Russian aggression against Ukraine, discussed the current dramatic circumstances of life and ministry of both Churches in Ukraine.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that the UGCC and the OCU can and should cooperate, and the level of this cooperation will determine the fate and future of Ukraine. “We are ready to do our best to serve our people, support our statehood and work together for the victory of Ukraine”, the Head of the UGCC emphasized.
The Head of the UGCC assured the Primate of the OCU that the UGCC is ready to support the clergy of the OCU, where there is such a need and opportunity. He then told how the UGCC was trying to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate people in different parts of Ukraine during the war.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also told Metropolitan Epiphanius about the initiatives of the Holy Father Francis aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. The Primate recalled the mission of Cardinals Krajewski and Czerny and highlighted the activity of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is to arrive in Poland next week to visit Ukrainian refugees.
Metropolitan Epiphanius stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation between Orthodox and Greek Catholics in helping the people of Ukraine during the difficult war, as well as cooperation within the broader framework of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations and maintaining contacts with foreign religious figures and institutions.
After the meeting, the Heads of the UGCC and the OCU spoke with Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko, wishing him God's blessing in his work to protect the capital city. "We are all working together for Kyiv to survive and for Ukraine to win," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.