PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, in the closing sermon of the day, expressed support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision to grant a Tomos of autocephaly for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine during the Sunday of Orthodoxy celebration on March 17 that was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar in Istanbul, Turkey.
Notable Ukrainians in attendance were Archbishop Job of Telmessos (a Canadian-born Ukrainian who represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the World Council of Churches in Geneva), and Consul General Oleksandr Gaman of Ukraine in Istanbul.
Metropolitan Theodoritos said:
“…The Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the first throne of Orthodoxy, exercised its ecclesiastical authority in the context of canonical and synodical tradition and self-perception.
“…The experience of recent time with the judicial claims has demonstrated the important role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in promoting the advancement of inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations.
“The convening and the functioning of the pan-Orthodox and pre-synodical conferences, and in particular the Holy and Great Synod in Crete three years ago, highlighted the responsible ministry of the Great Church of Christ.
“…However, at this sacred moment, I cannot but refer to the sacrificial ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who, with his dynamic personality and extensive theological and canonical training, upholds, by the grace of God, the divine mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and at the same time remains the nexus of the brotherhood of the Orthodox Churches.
“As a consequence of this, with a sense of deep responsibility and apostolic courage, the energetic and visionary Patriarch [Bartholomew] has recently granted the Tomos of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine, in order to provide the proven and most appropriate solution to the chronic ecclesiastical problem of that country.”
Concelebrating were Metropolitans Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands, Augustinos of Germany, Germanos of Tranoupolis, Sotirios of Toronto, Makarios of Aneon, Euginios of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Amphilochios of Ganou and Chora, Dmadskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronos, Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros, Constantine of Singapore and Chrysostomos of Symi.
Also in attendance were Metropolitans Konstantinos of Nikaia; Chrysostomos of Myra; Theoloptos of Ikonion; Elpido-phoros of Boursa; Archbishop Anthimonos Nektarios; and Bishop Makarios of Christoupolis. Greek government officials were also present, represented by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Markos Bolaris, Ambassador Petros Mavroidis and Consul General Tzortzina Sultanopoulou of Greece in Istanbul.
– Compiled by Matthew Dubas