Thank You for Your Fatherly Closeness and Courage to Bear Witness to the Truth” — UGCC Head Congratulates Patriarch Bartholomew on His 85th Birthday
On February 29, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrates his 85th birthday. On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, extended his congratulations to the Patriarch personally and on behalf of the Synod of Bishops and all the faithful of the UGCC.
In his congratulatory letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked His Holiness “for his tireless ministry and exemplar of the Good Shepherd, especially in this dramatic period of human history, shattered by wars and various divisions.”
The Father and Head of the UGCC acknowledged the Ecumenical Patriarch’s pivotal role in supporting Ukraine and bearing witness to the truth on the global stage. “I express my deep gratitude and recognition to you for standing up for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian neocolonial aggression, for becoming a spiritual voice of Christian truth at the international stage, which remains independent of political interests and pseudo-Christian ideologies.”
“Thank you for your fatherly closeness and courage to testify to the Truth, which is the only way to a just and lasting peace,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the UGCC expressed gratitude to His Holiness Bartholomew for the active dialogue and constant cooperation between the UGCC and the Patriarchate of Constantinople: “As a daughter Church of the ancient Church of Constantinople, we are also grateful for our fruitful cooperation, your fatherly support and encouragement to continue our journey following the commandment of Jesus Christ ‘That all may be one’. You have repeatedly expressed your joy over the growth and development of our Church, saying: ‘What father does not rejoice in the growth of his children?’
“I hold fond memories of our meetings in Ukraine, the Vatican, and at Phanar. I am convinced that these meetings will remain in history and will yield good results for the relations of our Churches, overcoming the divisions of the past on the way to full communion of Christ’s disciples,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“As we give thanks to the Lord for the gift of your apostolic ministry, we also offer our prayers that our Savior, through the intercession of the holy Apostles Andrew and Bartholomew, will support you with the power of the Holy Spirit in your current mission as a Shepherd and Spiritual Guide for humanity,” the Head of the UGCC wished.
Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome
