UOC is heard: "Blessing of Ukraine" at St. Sophia’s without Phanar head
Primate of the UOC at an official event in St. Sophia of Kyiv, 08.24.21. Photo: facebook.com/MitropolitAntoniy
On August 24, 2021, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine took part in the traditional event "Blessing of Ukraine", which is annually held on the territory of the St. Sophia of Kyiv on Independence Day.
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople did not attend the celebration, as the UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, who accompanied the Primate at the event, reported on his Facebook page.
“This was the position and condition of our Church, which I spoke about earlier in the previous comments, viz. that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not participate in the event in the St. Sophia of Kyiv if Patriarch Bartholomew is there. We brought this position to the attention of both the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which organized this event, and the state.
We are grateful that we were heard. Guests come and go, while we live here. I wish we could live in inner peace and mutual understanding,” stressed the hierarch of the UOC.
Earlier, Metropolitan Anthony explained the position of the Church regarding events with the participation of delegations of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Read also
UOC's Social Department reports on aid provided during 1000 days of war
Millions of hryvnias in financial aid and hundreds of tons of humanitarian assistance were provided during this period.
On 1000th day of war, UOC opens exhibition dedicated to Church's mission
Before the exhibition's opening, a memorial service was held for those who perished and died during the war, as well as a prayer service for AFU soldiers and for Ukraine.
Zelensky on the Church: The era of those who sanctify terror is over
The President stated that in Ukraine, there is dialogue between the state and all religious communities.
Satanic show to be held in Prague as a counter to St. Nicholas feast
Terrifying creatures will scare children instead of giving them gifts.
Papal Nuncio in Kyiv: War is from the devil, it makes no sense
Visvaldas Kulbokas believes the Church's mission is to call for the urgent need to end the war.