Constantinople Bypasses Russian Church, Unilaterally Moves to Establish Ukrainian Church Independence

The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople has appointed its Exarchs (representatives) in Kiev, Ukraine. This was stated in the Announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on September 7, 2018. The text reads as follows:

“Within the framework of the preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has appointed as its Exarchs in Kiev His Excellency Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon from the United States, and His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton from Canada, both of whom are serving the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful in their respective countries under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”