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Ukrainian President Yushenko visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

President Victor Yushenko presents Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with a Jubilee Commemorative Coin marking His All Holiness’ first-ever visit to Ukraine. (Photo by N. Manginas)

President Victor Yushenko of Ukraine was received by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar during his official visit to Turkey, Oct 29, and had a one-hour discussion in the office of His All Holiness.

Amidst an audience of Turkish and Ukrainian dignitaries and diplomats inside the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George, President Yushchenko thanked His All Holiness for his participation in the July celebrations in Ukraine, which marked the 1020th anniversary of the Kievan-Rus conversion to Orthodox Christianity.

President Yushenko proposed that the next Pan-Orthodox Synaxis in 2009 be held in Kiev. He stressed that such a meeting in Kiev would be of great importance for the Ukrainian people, as this would demonstrate their inseparable bond with the global Orthodox community.

He then requested His All Holiness to offer a memorial for the Holodomor genocide victims on the occasion of its 75th sorrowful anniversary. President Yushenko closed his remarks with a presentation to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Jubilee Commemorative Coin that was minted by the National Bank of Ukraine for the 1020th anniversary and the historic occasion of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s first-ever visit to Ukraine.

 

View photos of President Yushenko’s visit to the Phanar

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