At the Sophia of Kyiv Catherdral, in an open air setting, a solemn liturgy was held with the participation of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
This was reported by a Spiritual Front of Ukraine’s reporter who attended the service.
About 15,000 believers, clergy, the OCU episcopate, monks from Mount Athos, government officials, and other distinguished guests took part in the prayer.
After the liturgy, the spokesman for the OCU, Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya), said that, through a prayer, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the achievements of the OCU as the Autocephalous Ukrainian Church.
“The first among the heads of the Churches came to Ukraine, to our Local Church, the autocephalous, mature, and properly independent one. Through his prayer and blessing of this conciliar liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew affirms and blesses our achievements, inspiring us to build our lives on our own, although not selfishly. Just as parents bless and inspire the good deeds of their grown and independent children. We are wholeheartedly grateful to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and our Mother Church for the gifts and good deeds that our ancestors for centuries and we now have received from the gift of knowledge of truth and the saving Orthodox faith accepted in princely times through the baptism of Rus-Ukraine to the handing of the Tomos of autocephaly, which turned the page of past divisions and spiritual enslavement, and affirmed our freedom to be a local Church,” he said.
Referring to the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, the head of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy s, said not all Orthodox believers in Ukraine have learned the full truth and sought to follow the teachings of the church.
“Not all Orthodox Christians in Ukraine have learned the fullness of truth, some are yet to follow the teachings of the Church and the canonical order as they still adhere to separation, distancing themselves from communion; but we prayed for them today during the liturgy and it’s for them that we also offered a bloodless sacrifice, being convicted that in God’s blessed time they too will learn the truth and join the fullness of the Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Metropolitan Epifaniy also noted the great joy that fills hearts when a liturgy co-led by two primates took place in the historic place that is holy for the Ukrainian people, the Cathedral of the Metropolitans of Kyiv, and thanked everyone for the prayer.
The Primate of the OCU handed the Ecumenical Patriarch with the OCU Church Award, the Grand Cross of Archangel Michael.
In turn, Patriarch Bartholomew said there are two types of faith. One is rapid, but not long-lasting, and the other is saving. He also reminded that due to the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine, the relations between Constantinople and Kyiv were strengthened.
At the same time, the usurpation of Kyiv by the Moscow Church took place when the Ecumenical Patriarchate could not resist. For many years, the Mother Church has provided an opportunity for all parties involved to achieve reconciliation between those who are separated and to restore church life in unity, the Ecumenical Patriarch reminded
“The Holy Mother Church of Constantinople, which has been granting autocephaly including to the Church of Russia and, recently, the Church of Ukraine, does nothing but constantly give. At the same time, it preserves the integrity, unity, and constantly sacrifices, gives birth to and reviving Local Churches for the purpose, as already said, of the healing service for the benefit of God’s people, taking care of the special needs of the flock,” said the patriarch.
He added that autocephaly is not granted through national criteria, but according to that of expediency for the flock with a saving prospect. In addition, the status of autocephaly is granted under two unwavering conditions: first, for the sake of communication in difference, not for separation; and secondly, within the limits set by the Church.
