Poroshenko awards orders to ex-Metrs. Simeon and Alexander (Drabinko)
The hierarchs who had passed to the OCU were decorated by the President "for their contribution to the establishment of spirituality, mercy and interfaith harmony".
President Petro Poroshenko awarded Metropolitans Simeon (Shostatsky) and Alexander (Drabinko), banned from ministry by the Holy Synod of the UOC, with orders. The corresponding decree of January 13 was published by the press service of the Head of State.
"To award the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, IV degree, to Shostatsky Vladimir Ivanovich (Simeon)," the decree says. Ex-Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky received the same order, but V degree.
They proved to be worthy of an award "for their contribution to the establishment of spirituality, mercy and interfaith harmony, significant personal achievements in the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," the decree reads.
As reported, Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) and Alexander (Drabinko), banned from ministry by the Holy Synod of the UOC, as part of the Ukrainian delegation travelled to Istanbul to participate in a joint worship service, during which the OCU head was granted the Tomos on autocephaly.
