“Patriarch Shio III wished the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church strength of soul and body, as well as the inexhaustible help of the Lord in carrying out his archpastoral ministry for the benefit of the Church.

“Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia wished the UOC Primate strength in his archpastoral ministry for the benefit of the Church of Christ.

“Patriarch Shio III again expressed gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for his love and condolences and thanked him for the warm message sent on the day of his own enthronement.

“by the millennium he hoped to see the Lavra renewed, “completely free from the interference of the Russian World,” and filled with prayer for an independent Ukraine.

“I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude God’s help in all things. May the All-Good Lord, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, strengthen you in your primatial ministry to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and preserve you in good health for many blessed years!

“Patriarch Porfirije assured the Primate of the UOC of his brotherly prayerful support

“He thanked everyone who had helped spread information about the situation, supported the priest’s family, and prayed for Fr Andriy.

“Pope Leo once again called for an end to the war in Ukraine, urging both sides to observe humanitarian law and stop strikes on civilian targets