Head of UGCC to Bartholomew: We feel you have come not only to the Orthodox

Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: news.ugcc.ua

We feel that you have come not only to the Orthodox, said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav Shevchuk at the meeting of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, which took place on August 23 at the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy of the OCU. This was reported by the press service of the UGCC.

The meeting, described by Shevchuk as unique and historical, took place at the initiative of the head of Phanar.

On behalf of the AUCCRO, the head of the UGCC expressed gratitude to the "good pastor" and friend of Ukraine that he feels all the "pains of the Ukrainian people".

“During your visit, you remembered our heroes, our soldiers who gave their lives for an independent Ukraine. You met with Crimean Tatars and refugees from Crimea to feel their pain. And today we have the opportunity to tell you about the extensive religious life in Ukraine and we feel that you have come not only to the Orthodox, but also to all Ukrainians regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or confession. On behalf of the entire religious community, we welcome you to Kyiv today,” Sviatoslav Shevchuk said.

It should be reminded that the Orthodox Patriarch never met with the thousands of believers of the UOC who wanted to ask the head of Phanar their questions.

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