Head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy, congratulated the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, on the 30th anniversary of his patriarchal ministry. He noted there are those who are yet to realize that everything done by Patriarch Bartholomew was right, but in due time they will see, understand, and accept what has been done, because it is for the benefit of the Church of Christ.
“Your Holiness, accept my heartfelt congratulations from me personally and from the fullness of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the occasion of the double anniversary you are celebrating these days – 30 years of election and enthronement to the Patriarchal Throne of the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople,” said the official statement posted on social media.
In his greeting, Metropolitan Epifaniy said that by working and apprenticing alongside such great hierarchs of the Church as Metropolitan of Meliton and Patriarchs Athenagoras and Demetrius, Patriarch Bartholomew multiplied his own experience, expanded his knowledge, and grew in spirit.
“Therefore, when the need and the fullness of time came 30 years ago for the election of a new Ecumenical Patriarch, you were truly worthy to take up this cross, as evidenced by the fruits of your three-decade-long patriarchy. Among the many outstanding achievements, to fully list which a large book wouldn’t be enough, let alone a letter, I’d like to name only two – the convening and successful holding of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church and resolving the Ukrainian church issue by convening the Unification Council and the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
“You have shown wisdom, courage, steadfastness of spirit, and sacrificial love in doing these great things. And although there are those among our brothers who have not yet realized the truth of all that has been done, in due time they will see what you saw from the beginning, understand and accept what has been done as it was for the benefit of the Church of Christ. I am glad that during the visit of Your Holiness to Kyiv you personally had the opportunity to see and feel the love and gratitude that the Orthodox Ukrainian people have for you. Therefore, in this letter, let me only renew the testimony of our unchanging feelings of brotherly love, deep respect, and heartfelt gratitude to Your Holiness for all that you have done and are doing for the Orthodox Church in general and for the local Orthodox Church of Ukraine in particular.”
“We pray to God and ask for the good health, inexhaustible spiritual and physical strength, and many blessed years of service of Your Holiness,” concluded Metropolitan Epifaniy.
