Shemokmedi Archbishop Congratulates Ukrainian Church on Autocephaly
The Shemokmedi Archbishop Joseph congratulated the Ukrainian Church on receiving autocephaly.
The Archbishop published the congratulatory text on his Facebook page.
“I congratulate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on receiving Tomos and I believe that Ukraine deserves an autocephalous church. Ukraine has struggled for independence and autocephaly for centuries. Their aspiration will strengthen the Christian Orthodox unity,” reads Archbishop’s post.
Georgian authorities and the Patriarchate remain silent regarding the issue. Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and the Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze stated the Patriarchate of Georgia has to decide on the issue, which was discussed at the last meeting of the Holy Synod on December 27. Discussions are to continue at the next sitting of the Synod.
Ukraine’s Church gained independence from Russia when World Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos on autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church on January 5.
The Ukrainian Church had been under Moscow’s jurisdiction since 1686, when, under pressure from Russia, it abandoned allegiance to Constantinople, the historical seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church now known as Istanbul.
The Tomos declares that the Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, representing the Holy Synod of Ukrainian bishops, should turn to the Patriarchate of Constantinople for all decisions in the future.
By Thea Morrison
Photo source: 1TV
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