On July 12, 2026, Archimandrite Bartholomew, Abbot of Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos, together with the monastery’s brotherhood, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine at the Church of the Archangel Michael in Kyiv.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Epifaniy received the abbot and the Athonite fathers at the Metropolitan Residence, where the two sides held a cordial meeting.
During the gathering, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Archimandrite Bartholomew and his accompanying delegation for their presence in Kyiv amid the ongoing challenges facing the country.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized the significance of the visit, noting that the Athonite fathers had brought a message of hope by traveling to Ukraine despite the fears and difficulties caused by the war.
“Your presence here has brought immense joy and provided spiritual encouragement to many people who are tested daily,” Metropolitan Epifaniy said.
In his response, Archimandrite Bartholomew highlighted the centrality of Christian love, quoting the words of Scripture: “Perfect love casts out fear.”
“Love is the primary and fundamental message of our Church. We truly love you, and for this reason we were not afraid to come and be close to you,” the abbot said.
He further stressed that love transcends all boundaries and that the Orthodox faith is called to unite believers rather than divide them.
“God is merciful and loving toward mankind. He is a God of love, mercy, and peace, not of hatred or revenge,” Archimandrite Bartholomew stated.
He added that those who portray God as vindictive and punitive resemble the pagans of old, who fashioned gods according to their own desires in order to justify and conceal their passions.
