President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including Metropolitan Ilarion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Archbishop Iov of Pisidia, Patriarchal Deacon Epiphanius, and the Ecumenical Patriarch's Exarch in Ukraine, Bishop Mykhailo.
During the meeting, the President thanked the representatives of the Constantinopolitan Orthodox Church and His Holiness Bartholomew for their prayers for Ukraine and its people. He emphasized that the state is doing everything possible to address the challenges facing the Church in Ukraine.
"It is clear that these challenges are not recent and did not appear today. We will do everything on our part to ensure stability and peace in this regard. This is very important to us," added President Zelensky.
The representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate assured that the Church and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will continue to pray for Ukraine and support it.
"May just peace prevail on Ukrainian soil, and may peace also prevail in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Our mission here is to show love and support, and to cooperate with you for the good of the Ukrainian people," said Archbishop Ilarion.
The President also reminded that Ukraine is awaiting a visit from His Holiness, stressing that it is of great significance to the country.
