Media detail programme of Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to Ukraine

The Phanar head and the President of Ukraine. Photo: BBC

The details of the upcoming visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine, which is to take place during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country's independence, have become known.

According to information in the media, the programme of the visit of the head of the Constantinople Church to Ukraine includes the following:

• meeting with top officials of the state: President Vladimir Zelensky, Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmitry Razumkov;
• laying flowers at the monument to the victims of the Holodomor;
• joint services with Epiphany at St. Michael's Cathedral of the OCU;
• evening service at St. Andrew's Church transferred to the Patriarchate of Constantinople;
• meeting with children of those killed as a result of the conflict in the Donbass;
• meeting with the ambassadors of Turkey and Greece in Ukraine;
• lunch with the OCU “hierarchs”;
• participation in the celebrations dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

As reported, experts believe that the upcoming visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine will lower his status as a spiritual leader. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church explained why they oppose this visit and said that its official representatives will not attend the events with the participation of Patriarch Bartholomew.

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