The solution of the Unification Council, which chose the Orthodox Bishop who is destined to become the head of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, was looking forward to thousands of believers from all over Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in Sophia square presented the head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epiphanios, who was elected by the decision of Unifying Cathedral on Saturday, December 15, reports “Диалог.UA”.
Published powerful speech of the head of state, who addressed the thousands of faithful who came from all over Ukraine, to witness the historic moment. The people gathered in prayer to support the decision of the Orthodox bishops in most important for the Ukrainian state time. When the decision of the Council was announced, many cried, not hiding tears, hugged and congratulated each other.
“Remember everyone who is watching us, in Ukraine and around the world: this day will go down in Ukrainian history as a sacred day of creation of the Autocephalous Local Orthodox Church,
the day of our final independence from Russia”, – said Poroshenko. His speech was interrupted by polyphonic chanting “Glory to Ukraine!”.
As previously reported, “Dialogue”, Metropolitan Epiphanios is one of the youngest heads of churches in the world – he was 39 years old. The Lord was born in the Odessa region and received an excellent theological education.