NEW YORK: May 1, 2018
Bishop Theodosius of Seattle delivers a message of gratitude from Metropolitan Ionafan of Tulchinsk and Bratslavsk to the Synod of Bishops for its support for unity of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church

From the Editors: below is a letter of thanks from His Eminence Metropolitan Ionafan:

Dear Vladyka Theodosius,

CHRIST IS RISEN!

I was greatly impressed by the Statement by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia which expresses full support to the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onouphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, together with his brother archpastors, clergymen, monastics and flock of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which also emphasizes the genuine podvig of their bearing witness in standing for Orthodox Christianity and canonical order.

The clarity and specificity of the Statement by the Synod of Bishops reveals the anti-canonical scheme of the enemies of the Holy Church in Ukraine, and with words of Truth dismantles their wickedly treacherous, insidious and cunning distortions.

I received the words of the Hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad as witness to the indivisible unity of the Fullness of our Mother Church in staunch defense of the Faith in Christ, for the indestructible Patristic Orthodox Faith!

I ask that you extend to all the Eminent members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia my earnest acknowledgement and gratitude for their spiritual consolation, and on behalf of the clergymen, monastics and flock of the Tulchinsk Diocese, and I assure you of our prayers for them before the most venerable holy relics of ancient Mother Rus!

With love in the Lord, Your brother,

Respectfully,

+IONAFAN,
Metropolitan of Tulchinsk and Bratslavsk.
Tulchin, Vinnitsa oblast, Podolia, Ukraine.

NB: Bishop Theodosius was born in Ukraine, and was one of the first novices of the renascent Kievo-Pechersk Lavra at the time when then-Bishop, now Metropolitan Ionafan, was its Priоr.