President Victor Yushchenko held a farewell meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
At the meeting President Yushchenko again thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for his visit to Ukraine and participation in celebration of 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization.
“The historic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to Ukraine is itself the beginning and important momentum for unification of Ukrainian Churches and faithful. I am glad that the Patriarch supports will of our nation to have national Church of its own”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
From his part Patriarch Bartholomew I assured that the patriarchate of Constantinople welcomes unification tendencies in Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
“It is because we are representatives of Mother Church, we care for your perspectives and your future. We are interested in united Ukrainian Church because it lies within the interests of Orthodoxy and in the interests of Ukrainian people”, - said Bartholomew I.
He also thanked Victor Yushchenko for his invitation, which gave him an opportunity to celebrate the 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus’ and to get familiar with Ukraine.
