AT THE BEGINNING OF NEW YEAR, OCU PRIMATE WILL VISIT THE CHURCHES OF ALEXANDRIA AND GREECE

At the beginning of the new year, the Primate of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy will make a peace visit to Cairo and then to Greece. He said this in an interview with  BBC Ukraine.

“Currently, we are preparing for my visit of peace to Cairo to concelebrate with him (Patriarch of Alexandria - RISU) on his canonical territory,” the first Hierarch said.

According to him, the visit will take place at the beginning of the year.

“Now the Patriarch of Alexandria, unfortunately, is somewhat busy, he has trips to Africa. We have already determined the date of my arrival in Cairo and the establishment of official relations with the Alexandrian Orthodox Church,” Metropolitan Epifaniy said.

After visiting Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, the Primate of the OCU will travel to Athens: “we have already negotiated my visit to Athens. But, since the Alexandrian Orthodox Church is the second in honor after the Ecumenical Patriarch, then, according to the protocol, I must first visit the Patriarch of Alexandria and have a concelebration with him, and then to visit Athens.”

Metropolitan Epifaniy also said that they receive many positive messages from other Local Orthodox Churches.

“We are still facing a certain "hybrid recognition.” Sometimes there is no clear position of one or another Primate of the Local Church, but their bishops have positive opinions on this issue and even come and concelebrate with us,” said OCU Primate Epifaniy.

Religious Information Service of Ukraine