On March 8, the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Michael of Koman, met with the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhiy Popko.
During the meeting, Bishop Michael of Koman expressed his gratitude for protecting Ukraine and the efforts undertaken by the military administration in Kyiv, presenting the head of the KCMA with a copy of the icon of the Lord Jesus Christ from the frescoes of Sophia of Constantinople, reports the Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine.
“I’d like to thank you for what you are doing to protect our country from the aggressor and for the sake of peace and order to reign in Kyiv. We, as a church, pray for you, for peace in Ukraine, and for the victory of truth and justice, and our military. We will support you and offer prayers to God so that you continue the fight for the freedom and protection of Ukraine,” said Bishop Michael of Koman.
The colonel-general, in turn, thanked the Bishop of Koman for supporting the capital’s residents, including by launching an Invincibility Point in St. Andrew’s Church, which was equipped and is supported by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Aid to the civilian population during wartime is critical. Therefore, the head of the KCMA Serhiy Popko and Bishop Michael paid special attention to the issue of organizing new joint humanitarian projects.
The parties discussed possible cooperation with the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA to support Ukrainians suffering from the Russian aggressor.
“Soldiers on the front lines protect the lives of Ukrainians in the rear. Meanwhile, churches (St Andrew’s in particular) protect our souls. Both are important during wartime. It is especially gratifying to see that religious communities, such as the Stauropegium of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Kyiv, not only protect people spiritually. They also provide humanitarian aid. Only together, in such close cooperation, are we able to bring peace to Ukraine after our Victory!” said Serhiy Popko, head of the KCMA.
Bishop Michael was accompanied by priest Pavlo Sokolovskyi and subdeacon Oleksandr Yefremenko.
