Metropolitan of Kyiv to Patriarch of Alexandria: “The Church of Ukraine will always be grateful to you”

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine took to social media to extend his heartfelt greetings to His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa on the occasion of two significant milestones: the 70th anniversary of his birth and the 20th anniversary of his election and enthronement to the Apostolic See of Saint Mark.

In his message, Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed deep fraternal love and gratitude, emphasising Patriarch Theodore’s profound impact on the global Orthodox Church and his dedication to spreading the Gospel in Africa.

“With a deep sense of fraternal love and boundless gratitude, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Patriarch Theodore on the occasion of two significant milestones in his life celebrated this year—the 70th anniversary of his birth and the 20th anniversary of his election and enthronement to the Apostolic See of Saint Mark as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa,” wrote Metropolitan Epifaniy.

He continued by wishing Patriarch Theodore many blessed years of service, robust health, and all of God’s blessings on behalf of himself and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Metropolitan Epifaniy highlighted Patriarch Theodore’s connection to Ukraine, particularly his episcopal beginnings in Odesa, a city where the histories of Ukrainian and Greek peoples are deeply intertwined. “Ukraine and our devout people hold a special place in your heart,” he noted.

Reflecting on Patriarch Theodore’s two decades of leadership, Metropolitan Epifaniy praised his tireless efforts to spread the Gospel across Africa, ensuring the growth and strengthening of the Church in this vast continent. “As the current Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, you have proven to be a worthy successor to your great predecessors,” he said, likening Patriarch Theodore’s work to that of the apostles.

Metropolitan Epifaniy also commended Patriarch Theodore for his loyalty to the canonical order of the Church and his commitment to truth, both in words and deeds. He emphasised the gratitude of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine for Patriarch Theodore’s support of the Tomos of autocephaly and his acceptance of the Church of Ukraine into communion.

Recalling shared experiences, Metropolitan Epifaniy spoke warmly of their first concelebration on the island of Imbros and the hospitality and fraternal love he experienced during his visit to Alexandria and Cairo.

“As the first hierarch listed in the Diptychs after the Ecumenical Patriarch, you have shown unwavering support and love for the Church of Ukraine,” Metropolitan Epifaniy concluded.

Read the post below:

With a deep sense of fraternal love and boundless gratitude, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Patriarch Theodore on the occasion of two significant milestones in his life celebrated this year—the 70th anniversary of his birth and the 20th anniversary of his election and enthronement to the Apostolic See of Saint Mark as Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.

On behalf of myself personally and the entire Orthodox Church of Ukraine, I sincerely wish Your Beatitude many blessed years of service, robust health, and all of God’s blessings!

We know that Ukraine and our devout people hold a special place in your heart. This is because the beginning of your episcopal ministry is connected with Odesa, a Ukrainian city where the histories of our peoples and the Greek people are deeply intertwined.

Two decades ago, you were elected and placed on the ancient Apostolic See of Saint Mark. As the current Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, you have proven to be a worthy successor to your great predecessors. Like the apostles and their disciples, you have worked tirelessly and successfully to ensure that the word of the Gospel continues to spread across the countries of Africa, among the many nations of this vast continent, so that the Church of Christ in this part of the world may grow and be strengthened.

Like many of your holy predecessors on the Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark, Your Beatitude bears witness to the truth with words and righteous deeds, demonstrating loyalty to the canonical order of the Church. The fullness of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will always gratefully remember you in its prayers, for you, as the first hierarch listed in the Diptychs after the Ecumenical Patriarch, supported the Tomos of autocephaly for the Church of Ukraine and lovingly received it into communion.

With warm spiritual feelings of gratitude and respect, I always recall our first concelebration on the island of Imbros, as well as your hospitality and fraternal love, which we experienced during our visit to Alexandria and Cairo on a peace mission.

May the All-Merciful Lord reward Your beloved Beatitude a hundredfold for all the numerous good deeds you have done and continue to do for your African flock and for the entire Church of Christ. Many years, Most Blessed Father!

Source: orthodoxtimes.com