In his message, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine expressed heartfelt congratulations to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 33rd anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne.
He praised the longstanding and significant contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarch as the First among the Primates of Orthodoxy, promoting truth, goodness, wisdom, and justice.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized the crucial role of the Ecumenical Patriarch in granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church and expressed gratitude from the Ukrainian people. He also acknowledged the Patriarch’s efforts in fostering fraternal relations between the Churches and upholding justice.
Read below the message of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine:
I sincerely congratulate, on my behalf and on behalf of the entire local Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 33rd anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne!
For over three decades, this remarkable person has been carrying out truly genuine and significant Christian service, multiplying in the world as the First among the Primates of Orthodoxy, truth, goodness, wisdom, prudence, sacrifice, love, and mercy. Patriarch Bartholomew is a true spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide!
It is hard to overestimate all the good and beneficial deeds he has accomplished during his ministry. Our Ukrainian people will always be grateful to him for the establishment of the autocephaly of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church, for the restoration of historical justice, and for affirming our spiritual independence.
We deeply appreciate and respect His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, who makes incredible efforts to bring the light of faith and hope to all Orthodox Christians around the world, building fraternal relations between the Churches, defending truth and justice, and condemning evil and aggression.
Let us offer our sincere prayers for His All-Holiness! Many and blessed years!