Ukrainian Orthodox Church Closer to Receiving Autocephaly

31 August 2018 19:44

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the world’s Orthodox Churches, has informed Patriarch Kirill of Russian Orthodox Church that the decision to grant Ukraine autocephaly will be implemented.

This could signal the unification the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches of the Kyiv and Moscow Patriarchates.

Metropolitan of France Emmanuel, who is responsible for overseeing the Tomos of Autocephaly for Ukraine, made the announcement following a meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Kirill in Istanbul, Turkey, according to Hromadske’s journalist who was at the scene.

Photo credit: Oleksandr Popenko/HROMADSKE

“You will know that there is a divide [in Ukraine], which has lasted over 25 years,” Metropolitan of France Emmanuel stated. “The Ecumenical Patriarch has decided to use all ways possible to resolve the issue of granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The decision was made in April. And we will implement this decision. This was announced to Patriarch Kirill during his visit.”

However, an official statement is yet to be released.