The Orthodox Church of Ukraine has congratulated Patriarch Bartholomew on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to a deacon’s rank.
“Today, from the fullness of the local autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, we once again thank Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and sincerely congratulate him on the anniversary of his deacon’s ordination. May the Lord accompany you in your pious deeds and empower you to preach His word,” the greeting reads.
The OCU recalls that 60 years ago, on August 13, 1961, a young graduate of the Patriarchal Theological School on the island of Chalki, Dimitrios Archondonis, was ordained a deacon, having received a new, monastic name Bartholomew.
Since then, Bartholomew’s life has been inseparably devoted to servicing God and people, caring for the unity of world Orthodoxy, “building bridges” between nations and religions, and restoring historical justice.
“Two and a half years ago, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church received from His Holiness a tomos, which confirmed the canonical independence of our Church,” the OCU stressed.
