OCU Metropolitans Simeon and Alexander (Drabinko) arrive for Tomos

Ukrainian delegation preparing to receive the Tomos on January 6

On January 6, 2019, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will grant the Tomos on autocephaly to the Ukrainian delegation, which will include Metropolitans Simeon (Shostatsky) and Alexander (Drabinko) banned from ministry by the Holy Synod of the UOC, reports the online edition of “Na Parise”.

The Tomos will be received at a joint Divine service, which will be attended by "Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine" Epiphany Dumenko, 2 "bishops" of the UOC-KP, a "bishop" of the UAOC, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andrei Parubiy and other members of the Ukrainian delegation, as reported by the Ukrainian journalist Olesia Rudnitskaya.

The journalist added that Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has the right to perform public services only on major holidays, and that is why the Tomos bestowal was scheduled for January 6.

The leader of the Crimean Tatars Mustafa Dzhemilev said that he also intended to attend the granting of the document.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.