In his message, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine expressed heartfelt congratulations to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 33rd anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne.
He praised the longstanding and significant contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarch as the First among the Primates of Orthodoxy, who promotes truth, goodness, wisdom, and justice.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized the crucial role of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the decision to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church and expressed the Ukrainian people’s gratitude. Finally, he acknowledged the Patriarch’s efforts in fostering fraternal relations between the Churches and upholding justice.
Read below the message of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine:
I sincerely congratulate, on my behalf and behalf of the entire local Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 33rd anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne!
For over three decades, this remarkable person, without exaggeration, has been carrying out truly genuine and significant Christian service, multiplying in the world, as the First among the Primates of Orthodoxy, truth, goodness, wisdom, prudence, sacrifice, love, and mercy. Patriarch Bartholomew is a true spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide!
It is hard to overestimate all the good and beneficial deeds he has accomplished during his ministry. And I am confident that the treasure of good deeds will continue to multiply. Our Ukrainian people will always be grateful to him for the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision to establish the autocephaly of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church, for the restoration of historical justice, for the liberation from three hundred years of uncanonical bondage, and for affirming our spiritual independence, as well as restoring the proper spiritual connection between the daughter Church in Kyiv and the Mother Church in Constantinople.
We deeply appreciate and respect His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, who makes incredible efforts, to bring the light of faith and hope to all Orthodox Christians around the world, building fraternal relations between the Churches, defending truth and justice, and openly condemning evil and aggression in the world.
Let us offer our sincere prayers for His All-Holiness! Many and blessed years!