Ilya Savchuk, Student Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Ecology and Pharmacy of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University was delegated by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to visit the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He had a special mission at Phanar.

Ilya told the Information Policy Office employees about the purpose of the trip to pass on to our readers. Thus, as a Ukrainian delegate, the student attended the official reception of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Phanar in Constantinople. The total of 150 believers represented Ukraine together with the Volhynian.

“There were many representatives of the clergy among us, but ordinary people as well. I had a mission to read the greeting letter and the request letter. For this procedure, the knowledge of English was necessary, that is why they chose me,” says Ilya.

The trip was planned for Christmas days (December 24-25) to congratulate Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the holiday and anniversary of his ordination. Head of the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre “Ukraine”, Larysa Savchuk, Ilya’s mother, presented him with a photo of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Metropolitan of Lutsk and Volhyn Michael and Head of the Diocesan Centre during the previous visit, a letter from Head of the Volyn Diocese and a Ukrainian-style basket. Patriarch Bartholomew was delighted with such sentiment.

The OCU representatives and the people of Volhynia visited Turkey for two days.

According to Ilya Savchuk, on December 24, Ukrainians came to receive the Patriarch. “He expressed his position on the situation in Ukraine, condemned Russia’s aggression, the idea of “Russian peace” and expressed his support for the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, and the entire Ukrainian people. After that, we moved on to the presentation of gifts. Then a historic event took place and I had the honour of reading a letter from the parish of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Lutsk with a request to bless the transition to the New Julian calendar, so that with one mouth and one heart we would glorify the Lord with the Mother Church of Constantinople. For which we were the first in Ukraine to receive a blessing from His Holiness covering all of Volyn,” the student said adding that Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the request and was glad that Ukrainians want to live according to such a calendar as their mother-church. After that, carols were sung and gifts received from the Patriarch.

Taking into account the fact that Ilya read letters in English, he wanted to thank English teacher Oksana Smal for her training and knowledge. On December 25, guests from Ukraine attended the Christmas liturgy, which was led by Bartholomew.

Currently, Ilya explains that for the time being in Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on both January 7 and December 25:

“We secured authoritative spiritual support from the Ecumenical Patriarch, who blessed the entire Volyn Diocese with the celebration of Christmas on December 25. Later, the OCU Synod will be convened to resolve this issue. I believe that the Patriarch's support will considerably expedite this process.”

The young man recalls that he felt a great responsibility and joy about the opportunity to take part in such a historic meeting. “This will be the beginning of a great historical change for our country, the transition from the Julian to the New Julian calendar. I am overwhelmed with emotions and incredible feelings that I have touched the great history of our country,” concluded Ilya Savchuk.

Andrii PETRUSHKO,

Information Policy Office