Odessa, Odessa Province, Ukraine, November 8, 2024
Photo: gordonua.com
His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail, a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has sent greetings to President Donald Trump.
After extending his congratulations, the Metropolitan expresses hope that the Trump presidency will bring peace to Ukraine and improve conditions for the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He emphasizes the Church’s commitment to peace and calls for enhanced dialogue between the Church and state, noting that millions of Ukrainian citizens fill their churches while yearning for victory and just peace.
Read His Eminence’s full letter:
Honorable Mr. President,
With profound respect, I address you as the Metropolitan of Odesa [sic] and Izmail, the ruling hierarch of the Odesa diocese, a senior member of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a former member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1990-1994), and as someone who stood at the origins of our nation’s independence, having personally signed the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine.
I hold the honorary titles of Citizen of Honor of the city of Odesa and the Odesa region, as well as of two American cities, Greenville, South Carolina, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the vast congregation of the Odesa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on behalf of the entire South of Ukraine, and from me personally, we express you, Honorable Mr. President, our heartfelt congratulations on your brilliant victory in the U.S. presidential elections!
You have repeatedly been a witness to God’s love for you. Throughout your life, the Lord has shown His divine mercy by preserving you in difficult times. Today, on this Election Day, when truth and strength, victory are with you, the Lord has once again proven that He is by your side.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which I represent, is the largest religious institution in Ukraine. We have got with great joy the news of your election as one of the most distinguished statesmen of the United States. At all Ukrainian holy sites, we pray for your health and your esteemed wife, Melania.
We believe that with your election as President of the great nation of the United States, peace will come not only to the long-suffering land of Ukraine but to the entire world. We also believe it will improve the treatment of the suffering millions within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which today endures great trials and tribulations while remaining steadfast in its devotion to its people and the Ukrainian State. Our Church clearly understands that peace is a blessing, while war is a grave evil. We hope the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will rise again and, as before, continue its timeless mission alongside other denominations within Ukraine, fostering interfaith and civilians’ peace for the good of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian State. In unity lies our strength!
I sincerely believe and hold good hope that, through dialogue, we can resolve issues related to harmonious interaction and a cooperative model of lawful relations between our State and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which takes its rightful place in the public life of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church comprises millions of Ukrainian citizens, filling our churches today and yearning for victory and a just peace. Thus, the voice of the Church must be heard, and its faithful has the right, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, to protect rights and freedoms.
Your election as President of the United States affirms that “mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed” (Psalm 85,10).
May God's blessing be with you, a Christian and a man of the Church; Christ is with those who are with Him, with your family now and forever.
Glory and honor be upon you, Honorable Mr. President, and upon the people of your country, who have chosen you as the head of their Great Nation.
With my deepest deep respect,
†Agafangel
Metropolitan of Odesa and Izmail,
Permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,
Honorary Citizen of Odesa and the Odesa Region
Honorary Citizen of Greenville, South Carolina, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Photo: Facebook
Photo: Facebook
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