By Kostas Onisenko
Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine sent warm wishes to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on his 81st birthday.
Metropolitan Epifaniy, among other things, referred to the struggle of the Ecumenical Patriarch for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine while recalling the open invitation to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Ukraine for the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence.
In his announcement, Metropolitan Epifaniy thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch “for what has been done so far for the general declaration and confirmation of the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The historical and special significance of our Local Church’s Autocephaly Tomos is difficult to overestimate both for the Ukrainian people and for the Orthodoxy.
The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy Synod of the Mother and Great Church of Christ have eliminated the old injustices, made wise decisions that paved the way for overcoming the great divisions and contradictions and creating a canonical order among the Orthodox in Ukraine.”
He reiterated his invitation to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Ukraine this summer on the anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Ukraine.
“Praying fervently for you, on the occasion of your birthday, we wish you health, prosperity, many blessed years of service in the Ecumenical Patriarchate and all Orthodoxy, and success in all good deeds.
May God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, whom you have served faithfully from a very young age, generously offer you everything for the good!
Many happy returns, Your All-Holiness!”
Його Всесвятість Архієпископа Константинополя – Нового Риму і Вселенського Патріарха Варфоломія сердечно вітаємо з 81-им…
Posted by Митрополит Епіфаній on Sunday, February 28, 2021