26 July 2008, 09:51
THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE
PRESS SECRETARY OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE
Information for mass media
26 July 2008
Arseniy Yatseniuk, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has met The Oecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew the I, who is on official visit in Ukraine on the occasion of the 1020th Anniversary of Kievan Rus´ Christening. At the beginning of the meeting The Leader of Ukrainian Parliament expressed his deference and greeted The Eminent Guest in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
" It will not be an exaggeration to say that Your visit is of great significance for Ukraine for the whole Eastern Europe. Christening of Kievan Rus´ is an important milestone in the history of Ukraine and we believe that your presence on the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of this occasion is the confirmation of it and gives significance to all the celebrations." - Arseniy Yatseniuk stated.
In its turn The Oecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew the I expressed his gratitude to The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for the opportunity to meet.
"I am very glad, that start the second day of my visit with the meeting with You, dear Arseniy Petrovych. It is a great honor to visit The Ukrainian Parliament today. Would like to state that in my prayers we regularly recall Ukraine and pray for the peace and stability in your country", - , Bartholomew the I added.
He also expressed an expectation that the celebration of such a significant event, as the 1020th Anniversary of Kievan Rus´ Christening , will unite Ukrainian people and bring forth the consolidation.
Also during the conversation sides have discussed the issue on formation and development of The Orthodox Church in Europe and in particular in Ukraine, At the end of the meeting The Oecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew the I presented to Arseniy Yatseniuk the jubilee medal, that was produced 20 years ago on the occasion of "The 1000th Anniversary of Kievan Rus´ Christening".