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© Ukrainian Orthodox Church

© Ukrainian Orthodox Church

A representative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) joined a representative of the Moscow Patriarch to visit churches in Ukraine and to encourage efforts toward peace there.

Faith and Order programme executive Archpriest Dr Daniel Buda visited Ukraine 15-17 December, representing WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.  He was joined by Archpriest Mikhail Goundiaev, representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the World Council of Churches.

Their visit to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate, included an audience with Metropolitan Dr Anthonij of Boryspil and Brovary, administrator of the church, and also meetings with several representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Communities.

After the three-day long visit, Buda said, “We found there a great desire among church leaders and representatives of religious communities to express their hope for peace in the country, to work together for it and to be heard by the international community.”

Father Buda added: “If it only would depend on Ukrainian churches and religious communities, peace would be achieved immediately.”

The WCC intends to follow up this visit with a process of a larger ecumenical delegation visiting Ukraine in the coming months, and efforts to establish a meaningful conversation about peace.

Read also:

WCC general secretary meets with Patriarch Kirill in Moscow (WCC press release of 10 October 2014)

WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace