Met. Antony Receives Award From Zelensky

Source: uocofusa.org

AUG. 25, 2025 — Abp. Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. announced today that Met. Anthony, first hierarch of the church, has received a "high award of recognition from the President of Ukraine, His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy."

This comes just days after both of the aforementioned bishops published a Facebook post titled, "Betrayal of Christian Witness in Welcoming a Dictator," in response to Abp. Alexei of Sitka and Alaska (OCA) meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the piece, the bishops write:

"History remembers with shame those who once smiled at tyrants, who spoke softly to mass murderers, who flattered oppressors in the name of diplomacy or false peace. To repeat such failures today is to stain the witness of the Church, to betray the very martyrs who shed their blood for truth, and to scandalize the faithful who expect their shepherds to speak light into darkness."

In his response to criticism about his meeting with Putin, Abp. Alexei stated:

"I cannot apologize for kissing an icon of Saint Herman or of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Even if the greatest sinner were beside me, the honor passes not to him but to heaven itself.

I know that sacred gestures can be misunderstood, and I grieve if this has caused confusion or scandal. But our vocation in such moments is not to join the anger of the world, but to keep the lamp of Christ burning, to obey His commandments to pray even for enemies, and to open whatever small door may be given for a pastoral word of peace."

The full statement by Abp. Daniel congratulating Met. Anthony can be read in full below.

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Antony,

With profound joy and heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God, I extend to you warm greetings upon the receipt of the high award of recognition from the President of Ukraine, His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This distinguished honor testifies to your decades of tireless leadership as the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America - guiding the clergy and faithful in faithfulness to Christ and unwavering love for Ukraine.

This award reflects the gratitude of an entire nation, which has witnessed your fatherly care for the souls of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, your prophetic voice of truth in the face of Russian aggression, and your unceasing efforts to maintain unity between the faithful of our diaspora and the suffering but courageous people of Ukraine.

On behalf of the clergy, seminarians, and faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, I greet you with heartfelt congratulations. Your witness as a shepherd in this time of war is an example of faith, endurance, and love that inspires not only our flock in America but also our brothers and sisters in the homeland.

May the Lord, Who crowned His saints with glory, continue to strengthen you with wisdom, patience, and health for many years of service to Christ’s Church.

May your archpastoral ministry remain a beacon of unity between Ukraine and her faithful children scattered throughout the world.

Eis polla eti, Despota! Многая і благая літа, Владико!

With prayers,

Archbishop Daniel

Previously, Fr. Joshua Genig wrote a piece for UOJ in response to the apology issued by Abp. Alexei.

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