The Head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epifaniy, has begun his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Istanbul, Turkey). There he met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the press service of the OCU reports.
On 26 January, after completing his visit to Rome, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine began his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Istanbul, Turkey). The Primate is accompanied by Archbishop of Chernihiv Yevstratiy.
At the airport in Istanbul, His Beatitude was met by Metropolitan Maksim of Silivri, the Grand Syncellus of the Patriarchate, Father Iakovos, and Ukrainian diplomats.
During the event, a documentary about the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Roncalli, who later became Pope John XXIII, and his active participation in saving the Jews of Europe from Nazi persecution was shown.
On 27 January, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy will take part in the service in honour of the transfer of the relics of St. John Chrysostom, which will be held at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar and will hold an official meeting with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Recently, the Pope met for the first time with the leaders of the main Ukrainian churches, including the head of the OCU, Epifaniy. At the same time, the Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate, Onufriy, did not go to the meeting.