The delegation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine came to Israel. The worshippers and the churchmen arrived there to visit Theophile III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and all Palestine. Vicar of Odesa eparchy Viktor Artsyzky headed the delegation, reports the press office of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Under the blessing of Agathangel, the Metropolitan of Odesa and Izmail, the priests and worshippers undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, bowing to the ancient shrines.
In his speech for the Ukrainian worshippers, Theophile III said he prayed for peace in Ukraine. He also blessed those loyal to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Previously, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko could not meet with the Patriarch during his visit to Israel. The reason is that the head of the Jersualem Patriarchate was taken to a hospital on the eve of the visit.
