The head of the Odessa diocese of the UOC congratulated Donald Trump on his election to the US presidency

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Ahafanhel of Odesa and Izmail, sent a congratulatory letter to President-elect Donald Trump. The Metropolitan assured Trump of his prayerful support and expressed hope that under his presidency peace will come to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be able to continue to fulfill its mission unhindered. The congratulatory letter was posted on the Facebook page of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC.

“I am addressing you with deep respect as Metropolitan of Odesa and Izmail, ruling bishop of the Odesa Eparchy, member of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, former member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1990-1994), and as one who stood at the origins of our national independence and personally signed the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. I have the title of honorary citizen of Odesa and Odesa region, as well as two American cities: Greenville (South Carolina) and Baton Rouge (Louisiana). On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC, from the entire southern region of Ukraine and on my own behalf, we express our heartfelt congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your brilliant victory in the US presidential election!”, — the greeting reads.

The head of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC said that in all the holy places of Ukraine people pray for Trump and his family, and expressed hope that the new US president would be able to restore the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which I represent, is the largest religious organization in Ukraine. We received with great joy the news of your election as the most respected statesman of the United States. In all holy places we pray for your and your wife’s health. […] We believe that this (election — ed.) will improve the attitude towards the millions of sufferers in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which today is going through great trials and tribulations, while remaining steadfast to the Ukrainian people and state,” — Metropolitan Agafangel added.

Earlier, the head of the European Solidarity party and former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that he had discussed with the newly elected US President Donald Trump the granting of autocephaly to the OCU. Poroshenko said that this information was not public before, but now he can reveal this secret.