Poroshenko's Appeal to Constantinople Patriarch published
On April 17, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko declared the agreements on the creation of the SLC in the country
The text of Poroshenko’s Appeal is published by RISU.
APPEAL
President of Ukraine to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on granting the Tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine
Your Holiness!
Christ is Risen!
I appeal to Your Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the leader of the Orthodox world.
As the head of the state of Ukraine, who represents its citizens, including those belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox community, which thanks to the Baptism received from the Mother Church of Constantinople 1030 years ago profess the Orthodox Christian faith – I ask you to grant the Tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
This long-awaited document will become not only the triumph of Orthodoxy, but also an act of profound historical justice, because it is from the Constantinople that the light of the Christian faith was poured onto our blessed land.
This long-awaited document will further strengthen religious freedom in Ukraine and interfaith peace, enhance the rights and freedoms of citizens.
This document will bring to the new level the respect and authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch among Ukrainians.
Your Holiness, You are the only person in the world who has the canonical right and the legitimate power to resolve such questions.
Our entire nation looks at You with reverence and hope, because it is in your power to give us the unity, peace and consent that we need so much and which we have been deprived of for so long.
Your blessing, as well as the charter given to our Ukrainian Church, will finalize the establishment of the independence and autonomy of Ukraine in the spiritual dimension.
Again, as before, we will owe this to the Mother Church and personally to You, Your Holiness.
I hope and believe that You, as a wise and just pastor, will not refuse us the blessing and long-awaited act of benevolence to Your spiritual children, Ukrainians, faithful to our Mother Church.
Please accept the assurances of my great respect for You, fidelity to Orthodoxy and devotion to the Mother Church.
Petro Poroshenko
President of Ukraine
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