Metropolitan Epiphanius visited Athos: what message did he bring for Ukraine

Metropolitan Epiphanius completed his trip to Athos

Yesterday, October 12, the three-day trip to Athos of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius, came to an end. He traveled there as a pilgrim and monk. This was reported by

«Glavkom»

citing a post by the metropolitan.

Historical significance of the visit to Athos

According to Epiphanius, the October days for the trip to Athos were chosen intentionally. It was at this time, seven years ago, that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate confirmed by their decision that the Kyiv metropolis is not part of the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate, and that Russian church decisions against Ukrainian hierarchs, clergy, and laypeople are invalid.

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«Seven years ago, these prophetic wise decisions of our Mother Church opened the way to the Unifying Council in St. Sophia and to receiving the Tomos of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. And for me, it was important and a spiritual joy to offer my thanksgiving prayers on the Holy Mountain on the anniversary of those historic events,» he explained.

Situation with the Ukrainian church

Earlier, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stated that various churches are calling on the Ecumenical Patriarchate to convene a Great Orthodox Assembly or a Synaxis of Orthodox Primates to discuss the Ukrainian church issue, namely to take away autocephaly from Ukraine.

Moreover, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epiphanius, stated that he is always ready to meet with the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate, Onufriy.

The trip of Metropolitan Epiphanius to the shrine was an important act that symbolizes the spiritual strength and unity of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and its historical significance. The restoration of autocephaly and receiving the Tomos were important steps in the development of the Ukrainian church institution, and meetings with other Orthodox churches are a significant stage in cooperation and rapprochement between them.