Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church addresses Yanukovych with open letter regarding transfer of Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

The open letter to the president of Ukraine on behalf of the Episcopate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church concerning the St. Sophia of Kyiv Cathedral comes as a response to the discussion of the Humanitarian Council (presidential administration advisory committee) on December 22 regarding the transfer of the cathedral to the Kyiv Cave Monastery national reserve.

As stated in the letter, the sanctuary is now under the neutral care of the Ukrainian state, thus avoiding being a possible ground for interdenominational disputes. Greek Catholic bishops say that state ownership is not ideal but that in this particular situation it is "the only way to avoid possible confrontations, which when based on a confessional differences are always cruel."

"Each of the four branches of the once-united Kyivan Church can argue in favor of exclusive possession of the central iconic temple for Ukrainian history and identity. But no argument is sufficient to prove certain exclusive rights for the root of all problems lies in the separation of church that are inherently anti-Christian and antichurch. Unfortunately, none of us can say that one is guilty in this tragedy. Only when we are all equally recognize our sin, repent and return to the original unity peacefully, without fear of social upheaval, can this sanctuary return under the rule of one patriarch of one people," reads the letter.

Bishops of the UGCC hope that the millennium celebration of St. Sophia will be a "true uniting and explicit sign that the four sister churches sincerely carry forth the will of Christ 'to be one' and will shake hands and hug in the nationwide sanctuary under the protection of the Virgin Mary."