Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signs Tomos of autocephaly of Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos of autocephaly of the united Orthodox Church of Ukraine today, January 5th. The signing ceremony of Tomos took place in the Patriarchal Church of St. George on the territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.

Before the signing of Tomos, a prayer service took place in the church of St. George on the territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.

Ukrainian delegation headed by President Petro Poroshenko attended the prayer service. The delegation also includes Defenсe Minister Stepan Poltorak, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy, Deputy Prime Minister Hennadiy Zubko and former President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko.

The Tomos is made on parchment.

The granting of Tomos and Divine Liturgy in Istanbul are scheduled for January 6, which will be jointly held by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Epiphanius.

As previously reported, the decision to provide the Tomos of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine was made by the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on October 11.

Photos from President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko's Facebook