6 January 2019, 10:30 | Orthodox Church of Ukraine | |  | 5 |   | Code for Blog |  | 

Today, on January 6, the Ecumenical Patriarch solemnly presented the Tomos of autocephaly to the Primate of the local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy. The historical event took place after the Liturgy within the walls of the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar.

The divine service was jointly celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Epifaniy. The worship was conducted in Greek and partly in Ukrainian. The priests of both churches participated in the worship. The Liturgy was also attended by the President of Ukraine, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Andriy Parubiy and a host of government representatives.

At the beginning, Patriarch Bartholomew read out the text of the Tomos, and then he handed over the bishop's crosier to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Addressing the head of the Church of Constantinople and all those present, Metropolitan Epifaniy thanked for restoring justice and unity. He also mentioned the war in Ukraine, which had been continuing for the fifth consecutive year, and called for prayer for peace and release of the prisoners. The Primate mentioned with gratitude the honorable Patriarch Filaret, Metropolitan Makariy, and all the clergy who took effort to approach this solemn day.

“The old injustice has now been overcome by the courage of Your All-Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarchate and your daughter has returned to the Mother Church. Once we were divided, now we make one ... Blessed is this moment, and our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy. And now we are praying  with particular inspiration, we are united with God and with each other ... We ask for God's protection and peace for Ukraine,” said the Primate of the OCU.

As RISU has reported, yesterday Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos of autocephaly of the unified Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This document on autocephaly came into force immediately after the Patriarch affixed his signature thereto.

After the ceremony of signing, the Head of the Church of Constantinople called this event historical and assured that he would always support the Ukrainian Church.

The Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU will be stored in Ukraine in St Sofia of Kyiv (Smaller (Warm) St Sofia). Everyone will be able to see it every day from 8:00 to 18:00 in Smaller St Sofia. Entrance to the refectory church is free.

Tomorrow, the head of the OCU will celebrate the liturgy in his cathedral, which will begin at 10 o'clock in the morning. After that, the Tomos of autocephaly will be exhibited for the general public.

As it was previously reported, the Tomos for the Ukrainian Church was specifically produced by an icon-painter and a calligrapher, hieromonk Luke from the monastery Xenophon on Mount Athos.

“Ukraine has received the Tomos as an eternal proof and for solemn presentation” - these words are contained in the text of this historical document.