On May 11, 2023, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine met at his residence with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Dr. Jerry Pillay, who was accompanied by the moderator of the Central Committee of the WRC, Bishop Heinrik Bedford-Strom, vice-moderator of the Central Committee of the WRC, Archbishop Viken Aikazian, director of the Commission of Churches on International Affairs Mr. Peter Prove, and the envoy for the program of ecumenical relations Dr. Vasile Octavian Mihoc.
That’s according to the OCU press service.
The meeting was also attended by the deputy head of the Department of External Church Relations, Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva, and the secretary of the Synodal Commission on Inter-Christian Relations at the OCU, Archpriest Rostyslav Vorobiy.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the religious situation in the country, as well as the challenges associated with the Russian full-scale invasion. In addition, it was about the ongoing process of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine acquiring membership in the World Council of Churches. The parties also discussed a number of other relevant issues. As a result, it was decided to continue dialogue and consultations for the development of friendly relations.
“We are open to dialogue and thank everyone who comprehensively supports Ukraine in this difficult time of war trials. I am convinced that with God’s help, we will certainly achieve success, but to this end, we must unite our joint efforts,” said OCU Primate.
