U.S. makes statement about Ukraine's receipt of tomos of autocephaly

U.S. makes statement about Ukraine's receipt of tomos of autocephaly

Ukrinform
The United States called the granting of a tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as a “historic achievement” and promised to continue supporting Ukrainian people.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said this in a statement on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"The January 6th announcement of autocephaly for an independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine marks a historic achievement as Ukraine seeks to chart its own future. On this momentous occasion, the United States reiterates its unwavering support for a sovereign, independent Ukraine," the report says.

The United States maintains its strong support for religious freedom, including the freedom for members of religious groups to govern their religion according to their beliefs, without external interference, Pompeo noted.

The U.S. Secretary of State also welcomed remarks by Metropolitan Epiphaniy that "the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is open to all Orthodox believers." In addition, the American side supported his call to government and Church officials to promote tolerance and respect for the freedom of members of all religious affiliations to worship as they choose.

As reported, on January 5, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed a tomos of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

On January 6, 2019, the ceremony to hand over a tomos of autocephaly to the united Orthodox Church of Ukraine took place at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gave the document to Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphaniy.

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