Patriarch Theodoros: Remain faithful to the Church of His Beatitude Onufry
His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II called on the believers of the UOC to remain faithful Christians in the canonical Orthodox Church.
On September 27, 2018 in the Odessa-based Savior Transfiguration Cathedral, the Primate of the Alexandrian Orthodox Church appealed to the faithful of the UOC with the archpastoral word, in which he stressed that the head of the canonical Church in Ukraine is His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, informs the UOC Information and Educational Department.
After the moleben service praying for the unity of the Church of Christ, the cessation of schisms and peace in Ukraine, Patriarch Theodoros called on believers "to remain faithful to the Orthodox faith, to remain in the canonical Church."
"The Apostle Peter in the first century saw the torn chiton of Christ," the Patriarch of Alexandria recalled. "This tunic has been bloodied for so many years, so we need to keep this tunic inside our hearts." Because in the history of the Church there have been very difficult times, yet we believe that in these difficult days in Ukraine there is a canonical Church."
Vladyka Theodoros noted that the head of the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine is His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry – "a blessed man of God and a real monk" and said that a week ago he met with the Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church: "With His Beatitude Metropolitan Sabbah we signed one document confirming our being together with the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine."
The Patriarch once again stressed that he had come to Ukraine in order to urge the believers of the UOC to remain faithful Christians of the Orthodox Church: "We will be together with those who want Orthodox unity, my love is always with you."
In conclusion, Vladyka expressed gratitude to all those present, wished health, happiness and proclaimed "Christ is Risen!" three times.
As reported by the UOJ, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and all Africa arrived in Odessa on September 27 with a friendly visit. On September 28, Friday, at 9.00, Patriarch Theodoros will lead the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Greek Cathedral, where he served for many years as a representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
