Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill stated he is hoping to visit Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and meet the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate as TASS reported.
“I preserve a hope that I will be able to pray in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, meet my faithful people, archbishopric of the Ukrainian church, which heroically defense canonical Orthodoxy,” he said.
He also urged the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate to “firmly stay with faith” and “resist the temptation”.
“Spiritual, cultural, civilized unity of the Russians and Ukrainians is stronger than temporary political schemes and models, which work to ruin this unity,” he stated.
On October 11, the Synodus lifted the anathema from Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate, and Makariy, Primate of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Filaret stated that the United Jubilee Bishops' Council would take place soon to create a unified Ukrainian local church.
The ceremony of signing of the Tomos took place on January 5, 2019, in Istanbul. On January 6, 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew handed the Tomos on autocephaly and bishops’ crosier to Head of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox ChurchEpiphaniy. The same day, Tomos landed in Kyiv.
On January 10, Tomos on autocephaly for the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church which was earlier signed by the Synod in Istanbul, has returned to Ukraine.
