Sunday, October 18, 2009
Offial Site
Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III presented the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko the highest award of Jerusalem Orthodox Church - The Order of the Svyatohrobskoho Brotherhood. This award is given to chapters of churches and for outstanding services to the Orthodox Church.
"We know your a positive role in the political and ecclesiastical spheres, so we celebrate your achievements in the unification of churches and prominent role in combating anti-Semitism" - said His Holiness Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III Presenting Yulia Tymoshenko order.
Gratefully accepting the award, Yulia Tymoshenko said that this is an extremely high award for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, believers who desire peace and tranquility.
Yulia Tymoshenko told the patriarch Teófilo III, that with a difficult challenge, which is the presidential election, she decided to visit the holy places and pray that God give Ukraine and the Ukrainian people peace, and association of churches so that Ukraine will feel like a united nation.
Besides, Yulia Tymoshenko has invited the Patriarch of Jerusalem to soon visit Ukraine. "This will be an historic event for our country", she said. The invitation of the Ukrainian Prime Minister was graciously accepted by Theophilus III .
During the meeting the Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the request of Yulia Tymoshenko, blessed Ukraine and the Ukrainian people for happiness and prosperity. In turn, the chairman of the Ukrainian government has expressed hope that all trials of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people will proceed with dignity.
- See my earlier posting: Ukrainian Prime Minister on Orthodox Pilgrimage