Former Ukrainian Presidents Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko believe that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) being granted autocephaly (independence) is an anticipated historic event which is important for the reinforcement of Ukraine’s independence.
The former presidents expressed this in a joint address to the citizens of Ukraine which was read by Kravchuk at a press conference.

“We believe that the Constantinople Mother Church’s granting of autocephaly will play an important role in reinforcing the independence of Ukraine, the spiritual and national unity of our people and the development of religious liberty in Ukraine, and will facilitate interconfessional dialog… This will be an anticipated historic event,” the address stated.

The former presidents also consider it the duty of all patriotic citizens and politicians to oppose any attempts to use the church in the interests of other states.

“We are convinced that the unity of the Ukrainian people, which will be greatly reinforced by the unity of the orthodox local church, will become an indestructible spiritual fortress in the fight against Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the address proclaimed.

The presidents urged politicians and citizens to unite on the matter of the Tomos of Autocephaly being received by the UOC. They emphasized, however, that all activity must comply with the Constitution and the relevant laws, according to which all confessions have equal rights, and that the rights of believers may not be restricted.

On April 17, Poroshenko signed a request to Patriarch Bartholomew asking him to grant autocephaly to the UOC. On April 18, the relevant request was submitted to the president by UOC representatives Patriarch Filaret of the UOC Kyiv Patriarchate and Metropolitan Makary of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The request was supported by the Verkhovna Rada on April 19, after which it was sent to Patriarch Bartholomew.

  Ukrainian Church

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