President delivers a speech about Tomos praying with Greek-Catholics
Petro Poroshenko: We cannot stop the idea, whose time has come
The head of state noted that "he firmly stands on the idea that the Church in Ukraine should be independent from the state." This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at the UGCC event in Zarvanitsa on July 15, as informed by the President’s press-service.
"Autocephaly is one of the pillars of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian nation, Ukrainian national security, and, eventually, the entire world geopolitics," he said.
According to Poroshenko, "one cannot stop the idea, whose time has come”: "The idea of autocephaly in Ukraine is namely such an idea. The logic of the historical process, the logic of the development of the Ukrainian nation, the logic of the development of the Ukrainian state brings us to a tomos."
"The situation is not easy ... There is no reason to believe that Tomos is in our pocket," the President said.
Petro Poroshenko added, "The other day the Secretary of State of the Vatican told me that Pope Francis states with great satisfaction that the government in Ukraine guarantees observance of religious freedom for believers of all faiths."
Earlier, at the meeting of the head of the UGCC with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, Sviatoslav Shevchuk noted that the creation of a Single Orthodox Church is only the first step to achieve unity of the Churches: "The next step is an ecumenical dialogue between the UGCC and the united Ukrainian Orthodoxy towards the restoration of the original unity of this Church."
In mid-April, Poroshenko addressed Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople with a petition to grant theTomos on autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine and announced the creation of a Single Local Church. The Verkhovna Rada supported the appeal of the President. The Kyiv Patriarchate has already stated that they see their leader Filaret, anathematized by the canonical Church, as a head of the SLC.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.