His Eminence Metropolitan Yuriy, spoke in behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, assuring President Poroshenko of the prayers and support of the Church in Canada and the fact that members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops beyond the Borders of Ukraine had come to Ukraine to commemorate the Nebesna Sotnya who perished on the Maidan at this, the first anniversary of the tragedy. His Eminence also recalled the great contributions of the First Metropolitan of the Church in Canada and prior to this also served as Metropolitan of Kholm in Ukraine before immigrating to Canada. He emphasized the soon to open Museum about Metropolitan Ilarion’s life and contributions to Ukrainian and the Church later this year.
Responding to the greetings of President Poroshenko, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony stated that he was deeply moved by the President’s invitation to participate in the Council of Churches meeting, feeling almost unworthy to be present among the “brothers” present because they are the ones who suffer daily in the leadership of their faith-groups in response to the horrific invasion of Ukrainian territory. His Eminence stressed, however, that the President and all present should know that the faithful across the ocean suffer equally at the events affecting our native land and her people. He also assured the President of the prayers of the faithful of our Church at each liturgical celebration almost every day. He stated that he felt that he was fairly well-informed about what was taking place in Ukraine today through the mass media of the USA and his reading on the internet, but discovered when he arrived in Ukraine and began looking at television – on almost every channel – seeing the unaltered version of the reality of the battle against terrorism. The visit will greatly assist him in relating to his faithful at home what the reality of life in Ukraine is today.