On August 22, 2024, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, welcomed a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate at his residence. The delegation included Metropolitan Hilarion of Winnipeg from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius (Kamianovich).
Also present were the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine, Bishop Michael of Komana; the Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Efstratios of Bila Tserkva; the Abbot of St. Michael’s Monastery, Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod; the Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Bishop Avraamios of Boryspil; and the Head of the Church of Mikri Sofia in Thermi, Protopresbyter Peter Ladvitovic.
Metropolitan Epifaniy began the meeting by expressing his gratitude to the guests for their visit. He provided an overview of the current religious, social, and political situation in Ukraine, highlighting the challenges faced by the Ukrainian people and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine amidst the ongoing war provoked by Russian aggression.
The discussion then turned to a range of pressing issues, including church-state relations, combating harmful Russian propaganda—particularly the involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church—and the potential for dialogue among Orthodox communities in Ukraine. Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized his longstanding commitment to a fair and open dialogue, devoid of preconditions or ultimatums.
“A true and honest dialogue, with real prospects for success, must begin with normal communication, free from any demands for submission that are clearly impossible to fulfill. We are once again extending our hand towards dialogue. Just a week ago, I reached out to Metropolitan Onufriy to initiate this process, and I reiterated this call during my address on the ‘United News’ telethon yesterday. However, we have yet to receive a positive response,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception, noting that the delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate had come to offer support to the Ukrainian people, the state, and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine during these challenging times.
“We are pleased to convey the greetings and blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with whom we had a telephone conversation today. We stand with the people, with the state, and with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” said Metropolitan Hilarion. He continued, “The enemy hoped that Ukraine would fall, but by the grace of God, Ukraine has been defending itself for the third year against a full-scale invasion, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of its people.”
On the state of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, Metropolitan Hilarion added, “We are hopeful for a process of unity and reconciliation. Your recent statement is a positive step in this direction, and we trust that dialogue will be established to prevent enemies from exploiting divisions. The Mother Church wholeheartedly supports dialogue for the sake of Orthodox unity.”
Metropolitan Hilarion reiterated his gratitude, stating, “Thank you very much for this meeting. We will continue to work together.” He also noted that for more than five years, he has been advocating for dialogue but has not received a constructive response.
“Three demands have been made, essentially asking us to revoke the decisions of the Mother Church, including the Tomos of Autocephaly granted to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and everything the Ecumenical Patriarch has done for Ukraine. How can we accept such conditions when they aim not at unity but at dismantling the Local Church? Clearly, such ultimatums are unacceptable. We must engage in discussions without preconditions—sit down, share tea or coffee, look each other in the eye, and talk about the future without dwelling on past grievances. If Metropolitan Onufriy agrees, I am ready to meet with him tomorrow,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
To mark the occasion, the delegation, on behalf of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, presented Metropolitan Epifaniy with a replica of the ancient mosaic icon of Panagia “Pammakaristos,” housed in the Patriarchal Church at the Phanar, as well as a smaller replica of the Cross that once adorned the dome of Hagia Sophia. In return, Metropolitan Epifaniy gifted the Hierarchs commemorative engolpia and a book, and presented the Patriarchal Deacon with a copy of the icon of the Savior Pantocrator from the Synodal Hall of the Metropolis and a Bible in modern Ukrainian.
Following the official part of the meeting, Metropolitan Epifaniy led the guests on a tour of his office and other areas of his residence before inviting them to a dinner where the discussions continued in a warm, fraternal atmosphere.
The delegation arrived in Ukraine on August 21, 2024, with the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. In a letter to Metropolitan Epifaniy, the Patriarch noted that the delegation members “will hold meetings with state and ecclesiastical bodies and organizations, exclusively in cooperation with you, while conveying the blessings, wishes, and congratulations of the Mother Church to your country and its noble people on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
