President of Ukraine at the Phanar

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)

Under the Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

President Poroshenko with His All-Holiness

On March 10, 2016, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate – or “the Mother Church to Ukraine,” as the President pronounced – and met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Hierarchs from the Ecumenical Throne.

It is customary and a well-established tradition for visiting dignitaries to Turkey to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and meet with His All-Holiness.

The meeting took place at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The President was accompanied by his wife, Maryna Poroshenko

The President’s visit was conducted in an environment infused with harmony, collaboration and a mutual sense of love and respect based on a historical “spiritual bond between the Church of Constantinople and Ukraine,” in the words of Patriarch Bartholomew. 

A number of timely issues were discussed, including the importance of Church unity and peace in the whole world, with the President expressing his gratitude to the Patriarch for his constant care and prayers for the Ukrainian nation.

In Canada, His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij of Winnipeg is the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

• Press Release from the President of Ukraine

• Video of the President and Ecumenical Patriarch