The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy participated in the Local Orthodox Unification Council
On December 16, 2018, at the invitation of exarchs - special representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I - the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy participated in the council as a guest of honour.
The Chairman congratulated the newly elected Primate of the Local Orthodox Church in Ukraine Metropolitan Epiphanius (Dumenko) and wished him inspiration in his hard arch-flamen ministry.
After the сouncil of unification, Andriy Parubiy delivered his address from the scene at the St. Sofia’s Square to participants of the rally, who came to support the local council. In his speech, the chairman of parliament also expressed his sincere gratitude to His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew I. After completion of the council, Andriy Parubiy met with the delegation of the exarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Ukraine, headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed his gratitude to the special representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch for their "hard work over the creation of the Local Orthodox Church".
The parliament’s speaker then awarded three exarchs with honorary diplomas of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.