The 10^th anniversary of the Kharkov Council celebrated

THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KHARKOV COUNCIL CELEBRATED

The celebrations devoted to the 10th anniversary of the Bishops’ Council in Kharkov, an epoch-making event in the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, began with the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

For the first time after decades of atheistic persecution and administrative oppression, a Council of Orthodox Bishops was convened in Kharkov in spite of the blackmail practiced by the then leadership of the country. Its aim was to raise bishops’ voice against the dictate and totalitarian control exercised by secular officials and special services over the life and work of the Church. The Bishops’ Council in Kharkov elected Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

On June 1, 2002, bishops, clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from all over Ukraine came to Kharkov for the celebrations which started at the Cathedral of the Annunciation where Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and clergy of the Kharkov diocese.

After the liturgy, Metropolitan Nikodim of Kharkov and Bogodukhov greeted His Beatitude Vladimir, noting that by Divine Providence Ukrainian bishops, who gathered together for the Kharkov Council 10 years ago, made decisions which promoted the unity of Universal Orthodoxy. He congratulated the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the 10th anniversary of his election to the throne of Metropolitans of Kiev.

After the service, the participants in the celebrations, led by Metropolitan Vladimir, proceeded to the Monastery of the Intercession where the Bishops’ Council took place on May 27-28, 1992. In the presence of the monastic community and city officials, His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine blessed a commemorative table devoted to that historic event.

Later that day, a conference devoted to the anniversary was held at the assembly hall of the Kharkov diocese. Among the speakers were Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine, Metropolitan Nikodim of Kharkov and Bogodukhov, Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol, Kharkov Mayor Vladimir Shumilkin, as well as prominent theologians and historians. After the conference, a festive party and dinner were given. Speeches were made by bishops who took part in the Kharkov Council, Ukrainian people’s deputies, regional leaders and rectors of higher educational institutions in the city.

The Kharkov Governor Evgeny Kushnarev came to congratulate the participants in the celebration. He was presented with a jubilee medal cast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bishops’ Council in Kharkov.

The Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church sent a special Message to the Archpastors, Pastors, Monastics, Devout Laity and All the Faithful Children of the Canonical Church on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Bishops’ Council in Kharkov.

Press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church