On the occasion of the name day of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan Epifaniy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine extended heartfelt congratulations and blessings through a social media message. The Metropolitan addressed the Patriarch as a devoted servant of God and a steadfast leader in the global Orthodox community.
Metropolitan Epifaniy recalled the Apostle Bartholomew, one of the twelve closest disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, describing him as “a zealous preacher, a faithful follower of the Christian faith, who humbly and persistently brought the light of true faith to people despite many obstacles, rejecting all deceit and injustice.” He drew a parallel to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s own mission, emphasizing that “like the Apostle, Your All-Holiness resolutely condemns falsehood and evil in today’s world, fights for the establishment of peace and justice, and strengthens the great Church of Christ. Your service glorifies God, and you truly carry out the apostolic mission.”
Acknowledging the difficult times faced by Ukraine amid the ongoing war, Metropolitan Epifaniy highlighted the invaluable support of the Patriarch as a leader in global Orthodoxy and as the Head of the Mother Church of Constantinople. He expressed deep gratitude for the Patriarch’s prayers, assistance, and unwavering solidarity: “We are immensely thankful for your prayers, help, concern, your testimony of truth before the world, and your courageous public denunciation and condemnation of the wicked and ungodly ideology of the ‘Russian world,’ which for years has deliberately targeted and killed peaceful Ukrainians.”
In closing, Metropolitan Epifaniy extended his respectful and loving wishes to His All-Holiness on this special day: “May the Lord, through the prayers of your heavenly patron, the holy Apostle Bartholomew, grant you good health, long life, success in your ministry, and all good deeds. Many years and blessings!”
