On March 5, 2023, after the Divine Liturgy, which was co-celebrated by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II, and Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine in the Patriarchal Church of the Annunciation in Alexandria, an official reception took place in the Patriarchal Residence.
That’s according to the OCU press service.
During the event, the Primate of the Church of Alexandria once again welcomed His Beatitude Bishop Epifaniy and the delegation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine who are visiting the Patriarchate. Noting the personal merits of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Pope and Patriarch Theodore presented the OCU primate with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark – the highest award of the Patriarchate.
OCU hierarchs were also honored with awards. Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnytsia and Bar and Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva were awarded the Golden Cross of the ancient patriarchal Order of Saint Sava the Sanctified. The Patriarch presented commemorative gifts to the members of the delegation.
An official dinner was given on behalf of the Patriarchate of Alexandria on the occasion of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation and the celebration of the Solemnity of Orthodoxy.
