Ukrainian delegation attends water blessing ceremony in Istanbul
A Ukrainian delegation led by President Petro Poroshenko has taken part in a solemn water blessing ceremony in the Golden Horn bay in Istanbul.
The ceremony was held by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius, an Ukrinform correspondent said.
Earlier on Sunday, the delegation headed by Poroshenko also participated in a water blessing ceremony at the Patriarchal Church of St. George. After that, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew handed over a tomos (decree) of autocephaly of the united Orthodox Church of Ukraine to Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius.
On Saturday, January 5, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed a tomos of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. According to the document, the Ecumenical Patriarchate proclaims the autocephalous church established within Ukraine to be its spiritual daughter with a department in Kyiv.
On Sunday, January 6, the Patriarchal Church of St. George hosted a tomos handover ceremony and a divine liturgy that was jointly offered by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius.