“the primatial feat of His Beatitude Onuphrius, his courageous stand for the purity of Orthodoxy, and his unwavering faithfulness to the Truth of Christ, which, in the words of the hierarch, serve as a lofty example for the entire Orthodox world

“Patriarch Porfirije wished Metropolitan Onuphry God's help, good health, spiritual and physical strength, wisdom, and joy in his continued archpastoral ministry

“by the wise providence of God, His Beatitude Onuphry has been spiritually guiding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for twelve years, proving himself to be a cornerstone who, despite all trials, steadfastly bears witness to the truth and verity of the Gospel

“the Lord had chosen Metropolitan Onuphry for primatial ministry in these difficult times

“Metropolitan Tikhon assured His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of the prayers of the OCA clergy and faithful.

“the Primate of the UOC was called to his ministry during a difficult period in the history of the Church and has become for his flock a true good shepherd

“Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed fraternal greetings from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to the newly elected Primate of the Georgian Church.

“No matter how hard enemies and ‘friends’ may try, I am convinced there is a line His Beatitude Onuphry will never cross. He will not buy temporary peace at the price of departing from the canonical order of the Church, nor will he call something ‘the salvation of the Church’ if it destroys its unity. This is not stubbornness. It is faithfulness to Christ and the responsibility of a Primate before God for the Church entrusted to him