Klimkin claims to be the initiator of the Tomos and OCU idea

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Pavel Klimkin. Photo: 5.ua

The former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin said that it was he who prompted Petro Poroshenko to work on the Tomos and the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The politician said this in an interview with “Gordon”.

According to Klimkin, neither the president nor his team wanted to deal with the issue of getting the Tomos. Two people convinced Petro Poroshenko of the need to change the religious picture of the country – the former deputy head of the Presidential Administration Rostislav Pavlenko and the ex-minister himself.

“I have two things that I consider to be an achievement,” Klimkin said. “The first is that we managed to keep the situation in the first three years after the start of the war. The second is the receipt of the Tomos and the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Then only two people convinced Poroshenko to begin this work – Rostislav Pavlenko and I. Neither Poroshenko nor his team wanted this at the beginning. I consider these two things fundamental to the modern history of Ukraine.”

As reported earlier, the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko called on Ukrainian Catholics and Protestants in Canada to "spiritually save Ukraine".

Read also

Abp. Elpidophoros Approves "Food-sensitive" Eucharist

When Accessibility Crosses the Line: A Call for Faithful Integrity in Liturgical Practice

Kenyan Orthodox Priest Targeted, Guard Severely Wounded in Machete Attack

"We must not repay violence with violence." —Fr. Antipas

Procession of the Icon of the Theotokos at the Holy Monastery of Iveron on Mount Atho

Monks and pilgrims accompanied the Iveron Icon in a solemn procession around the Monastery and along the shore on Bright Tuesday.

The Mystery of Christian Love - Eulogy for the Funeral of Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon

In his eulogy, Igumen Gabriel, Abbot-elect of Holy Cross, spoke of Fr. Panteleimon’s legacy and spiritual testament.

Trump and Zelensky Meet Before Pope Francis' Funeral in the Vatican

The meeting lasted about 15 minutes and focused on achieving peace in Ukraine.

In Wales, Muslim Teenagers Set Fire to Christian Church

The two teenagers, recent arrivals from Pakistan, were arrested on suspicion of arson.