On 15th October 2007 His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa had a one hour long meeting with His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Ukraine, Mr. Viktor Yanukovych in the presence of His Beatitude Archbishop Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine.
Addressing His Beatitude the Prime Minister said his visit was historic and referred to the years of his service as Exarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Odessa. He then praised the multifaceted humanistic and missionary effort of the Ancient Patriarchate, and thanked His Beatitude for his valuable contribution to the efforts of solving the problem which has recently arisen with the creation of a schism in the local Ukrainian Church.
In his reply, His Beatitude expressed his great satisfaction on the progress of the country and wished the Prime Minister to continue his work for the good of the country and its gentle people.
His Beatitude was accompanied at this official meeting by His Eminence Sergios Metropolitan of the Cape of Good Hope, His Grace Ignatios Bishop of Madagascar, His Grace Athanasios, Bishop of Cyrene, Exarch of the Alexandrian Patriarchate in Russia and other representatives of the Alexandrian, Russian and Ukrainian Churches.
