Leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, on June 11 attended a Kyiv presentation of the Ukrainian translation of John Chryssavgis’s book “Bartholomew: Apostle and Visionary”, held at the residence of Metropolitan Epifaniy’s, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
That’s according to RISU referring to the UGCC press service.
UGCC Archbishop Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) said the “profound and special event” helps the Ukrainian audience understand what kind of person Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is. The head of the UGCC also noted that presenting the book in Ukrainian is one of the steps in preparation for His Holiness’s visit to Ukraine on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the country’s Independence.
“Monumentally, this book bears testimony of his personal meetings with the two popes – Francis and Benedict XVI,” said the UGCC head.
According to Archbishop Sviatoslav, Patriarch Bartholomew is one of the most notable intellectuals of our time. With his openness and intellectual strength, says His Beatitude Sviatoslav, he creates a culture of encounter that becomes especially relevant in the context of the postcoronavirus world.
“We were all struck when Pope Francis, as he was personally visiting His Holiness, bowed his head before him and asked for a blessing. This is something more than mutual recognition. This is a special and deep spiritual closeness that opens new opportunities for any dialogue,” the head of the UGCC is convinced.
At the presentation, His Beatitude Sviatoslav shared with other attendants his experience of communication with Patriarch Bartholomew: “The last time I met him was in the Vatican, at St Martha’s House. I then had a feeling that this is a man full of special energy, a kind of a spring that constantly radiates power, will, and ability to move forward church, public, and interstate life.
According to the UGCC leader, the culture of encounter and cooperation existing today between Rome and Constantinople is a good example of the courage needed to build relations in Kyiv: “We should get together, cooperate, and exhibit gestures of mutual respect, love, and solidarity.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also noted Patriarch Bartholomew’s support for the Ukrainian people and state, in particular in honoring the victims of the Holodomor and protecting national sovereignty and integrity.
“This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine. Then, during a meeting, he referred to Ukraine as a ‘laboratory of ecumenism.’ The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations expects the same meeting with the Patriarch of Constantinople this year,” he said.
“The gratitude of Ukrainians is what we will meet His Holiness in Ukraine with. Let this visit, which is being prepared including with today’s meeting, be an opportunity to develop the culture of encounter in our country, in inter-church and inter-religious dialogue, and also serve as an important element in building a civilization of love and mutual respect and understanding,” the Ukrainian spiritual leader added.
