The tomos will be exhibited for the public in Kyiv / Photo from UNIAN

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has handed the tomos of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine over to its leader, Metropolitan Epifaniy (Epiphanius) of Kyiv and All Ukraine.

An official ceremony of granting the tomos took place in St. George's Cathedral in Istanbul, which is the residence of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Read alsoHistory is made: Bartholomew signs tomos of autocephaly for Orthodox Church of Ukraine

As UNIAN reported, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on January 5, 2019, signed the tomos in his residence in Istanbul, which proclaims the autocephaly of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The tomos says that the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognizes a canonical, autocephalous, self-governing Orthodox Church within the limits of the politically formed territory of Ukraine.

The document also sets out basic principles for the functioning of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

On January 7, the tomos will be exhibited for the public at St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv.