Greece and Ukraine strengthen their cooperation on religious and educational issues

At the historic “Metropolitan’s House” located in the emblematic area of ​​Saint Sophia in Kyiv, on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, the Secretary General for Religious Affairs of Greece, Mr. Georgios Kalantzis, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding with the head of the Ukrainian Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, V. Yelenski.

The two Governments, taking into account that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the Centre of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ and has a unique place in Orthodoxy as the Mother Church, the centuries-old relations between the Greeks and Ukrainians, as well as the desire of Ukraine to further develop cultural, educational and religious cooperation with the Hellenic Republic, have decided to deepen their cooperation in the following fields:

• Academic exchanges of students & teachers of theology and humanities.
• Modern Greek language courses and strengthening of libraries of Ukrainian academies with modern Greek theological bibliography.
• Institutional cooperation with Theological Schools and Academies of Greece and co-organisation of conferences, summer schools and other activities.
• Specialised pastoral training programs for priests serving in hospitals and the army.
• Specialised pastoral training seminars for priests who wish to minister to the war wounded.

During the signing of the Memorandum, the head of the Ukrainian Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience V. Yelenski emphasised that this is a new and valuable impetus for the development of Theology in Ukraine at a time when people turn to religion to answer existential questions that other sciences cannot answer. He emphasised that the dialogue on how the human person experiences faith in the 21st century is particularly important, but also how the Church responds to this need, especially in a time of war. Finally, he warmly thanked the Secretary General for Religious Affairs for his decision to travel to Kyiv for the signing of the Memorandum.

The Secretary General for Religious Affairs, Mr. G. Kalantzis, referred to the special spiritual bond between the Greeks and the Ukrainians, which is based on Orthodoxy, and stated that the high spirit of the Ukrainian people, who bravely defend their independence and freedom, is an example for the whole world, and especially for the smaller nations that face the unjustified aggression of their more populous neighbouring nations. He also said that the Memorandum was signed in Kyiv as a sign of respect and a practical demonstration of Greece’s solidarity. Finally, he wished that peace would come soon so that Ukraine could prosper within its internationally recognised borders as a modern European democracy.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Ukraine, Mr. Pantelis – Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, the Deputy Head of the Embassy of Greece, Mr. Manolis Androulakis, representatives of the Greeks of Ukraine and representatives of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

After the signing of the Memorandum, the Greek Delegation together with the head of the Ukrainian Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience V. Yelenski visited the Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv, at the Holy Monastery of St. Michael.

His Beatitude warmly welcomed the Greek delegation, stating that he welcomes them to the “spiritual centre of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a place of honour and memory of the youngest heroes of the Ukrainian nation.” He emphasised that, despite the hard struggle, the Ukrainian people rightly seek victory, drawing strength from the unshakable faith, the courage of their defenders, and the support of friends and international partners. “We express our sincere gratitude for the solidarity and support of Greece,” emphasised the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. “We express special gratitude to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the historic decision to grant the Tome of Autocephaly. It was a prophetic decision, since, in times of war, the Church plays a key role in the spiritual and moral strengthening of the people. We also warmly thank the Church of Greece, which supported this wise decision.”

In his response, the General Secretary for Religious Affairs, Mr. G. Kalantzis, emphasised the unique position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Christianity and in Orthodoxy in particular, recalling that Greece recognises it in its Constitution. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as the spiritual mother of the Ukrainian people, effectively and sacrificially supports them in the just struggle they are waging for their freedom and dignity.

The Greek delegation visited the Patriarchal Stavropegial Church of Saint Andrew and had a working meeting with the Patriarchal Exarch, His Grace Bishop Michael of Komana.