Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine said that the solution found to the Church issue in Ukraine was a brave decision.
In his message to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan
Epifaniy wished him all the best for his 80th birthday and said that
carrying out his ministry was a heavy cross to bear. “The Ecumenical
Patriarch, who is the First in the Orthodox Church, has been carrying
out his glorious ministry with respect and dignity. But only God and You
know how difficult it was to take on your responsibilities about three
decades ago. It was a heavy cross to bear. It is especially clear today
that, through the courageous canonical decisions you made, you managed
to resolve the longstanding Church issue in Ukraine,” he said.
A greeting letter was read during yesterday’s Vespers Service at the
Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar, which was given by
members of the delegation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine led by
Archbishop of Poltava and Kremenchuk.