Photo: UNIAN
Tomos about autocephaly of Orthodox Church of Ukraine was taken from Kyiv to be sent back to Istanbul, where members of the Holy Synod must certify it.
“Tomos, who was handed over to us and entered into the church of Saint Sophia, it is valid; it is signed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. But according to the procedure, there should also be signatures of the hierarchs participating in the Synod of the Constantinople Patriarchate, ” the channel quoted “Prymyi” the words of the representative of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius father Ivan Sydor.
The priest also explained why the signatures were not supplied immediately.
“Why was Tomos brought before the signing of these bishops? Because Synod of Constantinople Patriarchate meets every month, on the 9th. And the decision to transfer the Tomos was January 6, three days before the Synod. Therefore, such a procedure … These are normal things. It should be understood that the decision on granting Ukraine autocephaly is entered into the code of the Holy Great Church of Constantinople. This decision is made. On January 6, Metropolitan Epiphanius and the Ukrainian bishops served the liturgy with the Ecumenical Patriarch, and this is the main evidence that the mother church recognizes and accepts us to its family. And the fact that there are no several signatures are technical things,” father Ivan Sydor noted.
The priest also assured that on January 9, Tomos will be sent back to Kyiv.
“On the 9th, there will be signatures, and I think this is my opinion – on that day he will be sent to Ukraine without delay, so that there will be no talk. After that, it (Tomos – ed.) will already be in Kyiv. There is no information where it will be stored, but there is such an opinion, and I think that, perhaps, he will continue his stay in the St. Sophia Cathedral’s Refectory Church, as it was on January 7,” the priest concluded.
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