The today’s synodal decision announces commencement of the process of granting of the ecclesiastical status of autocephaly to the Local Orthodox Ukrainian Church.
I sincerely hope that the All-Ukrainian Orthodox Synod will take place in Kyiv in the immediate future, in which all the Hierarchs-patriots of Ukraine are to participate, that shall proclaim the formation of the Unified Local Orthodox Ukrainian Church.
I am convinced that after the unifying council in Kyiv, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I shall confer the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Primate of the Local Orthodox Ukrainian Church.
Today, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has sanctioned such historical resolutions as recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the idea of reestablishing the Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Kyiv, yet the first and foremost being the cancellation of the Synodal “Act” or “Letter of Issue” dated June, 1686.
Over hundreds of years Ukrainians across the generations did dream of and they do now believe in the Higher Justice. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church - the Church that Volodymyr the Great once baptized - has for the first time since 1686 won its long-awaited independence from Moscow.
I whole-heartedly thank the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I for all his prayers and fatherly keeping the people of Ukraine.
I also express my hearty gratitude to the Exarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for their valuable and vital mission in Ukraine.
Ukrainian statesmen, the clergy and laity of Ukraine, everyone in their place and their field, all have done considerable to finally win out the One Local Orthodox Ukrainian Church.
I thank sincerely to all the like-minded and associates in this holy deed!
I cordially congratulate the people of Ukraine!