The Ecumenical Patriarch officially invited the Metropolitan Epiphanius to award Thomas
KIEV. 16 Dec. UNN. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has invited the newly elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Metropolitan of Pereyaslav and Belotserkovsky Epiphanius in Istanbul for the presentation of the Tomos, reports UNN , citing the press service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In a communiqué of the Secretariat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, says: “With God’s glory, joy and pleasure, the Ecumenical Patriarchate announces the successful completion of the work a Unifying Council of the formation of new Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine.”
It added that Metropolitan Epiphanios was contacted by Bartholomew after Unification Council elected him the head of the unified Ukrainian Church. He expressed his respect and “asked the blessing of mother Church on the implementation of service,” the statement reads.
In response Bartholomew invited Epiphanius to Fanar (the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch — ed.) to hold a joint service in honor of the feast of the Epiphany (January 6).
As it became known earlier, Patriarch Bartholomew will present the Tomos of autocephaly Primate of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine on January 6.