The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) supports the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for the granting of Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, as affirmed by the Parliament of Ukraine on 16 June 2016 in its appeal to His Holiness Bartholomew І, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.
The Parliament of Ukraine has expressly called upon the Ecumenical Patriarch, “For the sake of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and the integral unity of the Ukrainian nation, to issue a Tomos of Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, so that it can assume its rightful place in the family of Autocephalous Orthodox Churches.”
The affirmation of the Parliament of Ukraine particularly highlights the following:
“After the events of 2014, Ukraine will never be a political or ecclesial colony of Russia. It is clear from the statеof the Orthodox Church in Ukraine that, according to all relevant criteria, it has long been ready for the status of an Independent Autocephalous Church:
- Modern Ukraine is an independent state, whose sovereignty is recognized by the entire world;
- The Ukrainian nation has its own distinct culture which sustains and fosters its identity;
- Finally, the countless signs of the vitality of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine are clear evidence that this Church has not only attained the status corresponding to Autocephaly, but, once recognized, will become the largest Orthodox Church in the world, if successful in overcoming its division.”
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon His Holiness Bartholomew І, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch and the Great and Holy Council, being held 16‑26 June 2016 in Crete to grant Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. This Church unites the Ukrainian people around national interests that, today, are focused, first and foremost, on the defence of the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine from Russian aggression,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
