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On
December 15, 2018, a crowd of thousands gathered in the St. Sophia
Square, eagerly awaiting the results of the Unification Sobor. At the
conclusion of the Council, which took place inside the ancient,
1,000-year-old majestic Saint Sophia Cathedral, aptly named “Holy
Wisdom”, the announcement of the establishment of the Orthodox
Autocephalous Church of Ukraine was made to the patiently awaiting crowd
outside. As they celebrated the good news in the gathering darkness,
the Christmas lights which decorated the capital city of Ukraine began
to twinkle happily, accentuating the celebratory spirit.
As
the nation celebrated, key members of the Unification Sobor gathered in
the Office of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Andriy
Volodymyrovych Parubiy. The Chairman expressed his gratitude to the
special representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch for their commitment
and hard work in establishing the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church. For
months the Exarchs had traveled long distances, suffered sleepless
nights, held meetings, led discussions, and prayed deeply for the
success of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The hours and effort extended
by them is immeasurable.
In
gratitude, Chairman Parubiy awarded the Exarchs of His All-Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I - His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel
of France, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox
Church of the USA, and His Grace Bishop Ilarion of the Ukrainian
Orthodox Church of Candada, Honorary Diplomas and awards on behalf of
the Verkhovna Rada, thanking them for their extraordinary dedication,
diligence and self-sacrifice on behalf of the Ukrainian nation and her
people.
May the Lord reward the Exarchs for
their selflessness and perseverance, granting them many blessed years.
Eis polla eti Despota!
The Exarchs of Ecumenical Patriarchate Receive the Highest Award of the Ukrainian Parliament
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