President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who arrived in Ukraine at the invitation of the Head of State on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of independence.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – August 21, 2021 – Diplomatic Affairs
“First of all, I want to thank you for this visit. For me personally, for Ukraine, for all of us, it is a great honor that you joined us on such important days as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our independence. This is very important for us, ”the President stressed at the beginning of the meeting.
Zelensky reminded that he had visited the Ecumenical Patriarch twice during his term, and His Holiness is visiting our country for the third time.
“And it is on the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. And this is a significant event because it takes place in the year of the 30th anniversary of your election as Ecumenical Patriarch, ”the Head of State said.
For his part, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked the President of Ukraine for the invitation and stressed that he was happy to be on the beautiful hospitable Ukrainian land, especially when Ukraine celebrates the 30th anniversary of independence.
“It is a great honor for us to celebrate with you this important date for Ukraine,” His Holiness said.
During the conversation with the Ecumenical Patriarch, Zelensky noted that Ukraine is a unique example of the peaceful coexistence of many denominations.
The Head of State thanked His Holiness for his unconditional personal support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and independence. He also thanked for the constant prayers for peace in our country.
The interlocutors discussed the issues of peaceful settlement in Donbas, the situation with the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms, in particular freedom of religion, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Zelensky noted that one of the factors that the aggressor uses against Ukraine as a hybrid weapon is a religion.
The President thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for the attention and support of the children of Ukrainian soldiers who lost their parents as a result of Russian aggression.
“I know how warmly you received them at your residence in Fanari in 2018. I appreciate the readiness to meet with them during your visit, “he said.
The Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that he prayed for peace in Ukraine and blessed the Ukrainian people on behalf of the Mother Church.
During the meeting, further steps for closer cooperation between Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarchate were also discussed.
On the evening of August 20, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officially arrived in Ukraine. Today, August 21, at 10:00, a solemn meeting and prayer of thanksgiving (Doxology) of the Ecumenical Patriarch will take place in St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral on the occasion of his arrival in Ukraine. On August 22, Patriarch Bartholomew together with Metropolitan Epiphanius will hold a liturgy in St. Sophia. The service will start at 9:00.
Last October, the President of Ukraine and the First Lady met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and invited him to Ukraine. Then Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said that he plans to visit Ukraine in the days of celebration of Independence Day in 2021.
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Source: Ukrgate
