President Viсtor Yusрchenko hops progress can be made in talks on forming a united Ukrainian Orthodox church during the visit to Ukraine by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Rus visits Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill will visit Ukraine from July 27 to August 5.
Yushchenko stated this in his congratulatory message on the Day of Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine.
“I believe that establishment of a united Ukrainian Orthodox Church …will represent a great historical truth and justice for Ukraine. We are hoping for continuation and development of the dialogue during the pastoral visit to Ukraine by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Rus,” Yushchenko said in the congratulatory message.
Yushchenko stressed that establishment of a united church was a matter of unity for the entire Ukrainian society and that the government could not but get involved in the issue.
“The government is not interfering in church issues, but a government that values the unity of its people cannot stay on the sidelines,” Yushchenko said in the message.
