Following the week long trip to Ukraine, marking the First Anniversary of the Repose of the Heavenly Hundred during the tragic events of February 18-20, 2014 in Kyiv, Ukraine and still being moved by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and throughout the world, the hierarchs of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine convened their annual meeting on 2-4 March, 2015 in Clearwater, FL.
The hierarchs of the Permanent Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops Beyond the Borders of Ukraine prepared an address to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, addressing the circumstances of ecclesiastical division and the possible ways of resolution to the conflict.
Among the various topics discussed at the meeting were the reports on the ongoing political, economic and ecclesiastical difficulties that exist in Ukraine, Middle East and in other countries, where Ukrainian Orthodox Christians live outside of their ancestral homeland. The daily reports of conflicts, turmoil, bloodshed and violence can leave no one indifferent and unconcerned. The bishops stated that they share a special bond with their brothers and sisters in Ukraine, especially with the clergy who continue to guide their precious faithful and care for them in the most difficult of circumstances.
The hierarchs discussed the upcoming Centennial Celebrations of both the UOCC and the UOC of USA, which will take place in 2018. The organizing committees will be appointed by the Primates of Churches in order to share in the witness of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in North America and the possibility of a combined celebration in addition to the separate celebrations that will be held in both Churches, or at least significant participation of the clergy and faithful of both Churches in the separate celebrations.
The meeting was hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and ruling hierarch of the Eastern Eparchy, along with His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory UOC of USA and ruling hierarch of the Western Eparchy. The bishops in attendance were His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and the Ruling Hierarch of the Central Eparchy of UOCC, His Grace Bishop Ilarion, the Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of UOCC, His Grace Bishop Andriy, the Ruling Hierarch of the Eastern Eparchy of UOCC. His Eminence Archbishop Ioan of Australia and New Zealand and His Eminence Archbishop Jeremiah of the Eparchy of South America were not able to be present for the meeting.