The head of state predicts that this will be the most remarkable Christmas in the history of Ukraine
By 112 Agency
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew confirmed that Tomos about the autocephaly of the newly established Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be solemnly presented on Christmas Eve on January 6. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a press conference at the Mystetsky arsenal in Kyiv, which was broadcasted by 112 Ukraine.
“For the first time, a church consecrated by the Ecumenical Throne is born in Ukraine. On Sunday night, a few hours after the Assembly was over, the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized the new church by its special communique. Tomos will be solemnly presented on Christmas Eve,” he said.
According to the head of state, the Ecumenical Patriarch himself informed him about this during a telephone conversation, which took place before the beginning of the relevant press conference.
We recall, the Unification Assembly in Kyiv elected on December 15 the head of the local Orthodox church in Ukraine, the Metropolitan of the former Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate Epifaniy (Dumenko). On the same day, the bishops approved the charter of the new church.
Practically all the hierarchs of the former Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate, the UAOC, and two bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate took part in the Assembly.
The next step for the final formation of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine will be to conduct a joint service of Epifaniy with the Ecumenical Patriarch and receive Tomos about the autocephaly.
