Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has discussed results of the Pan-Orthodox Council, which was held this summer on the island of Crete, with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.

The press service of the president reported that the head of state met Patriarch as part of his visit to Israel on Friday. Poroshenko thanked His Beatitude for the support of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the implementation of the aspiration of Ukrainians to unite in a single national Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

In his turn, Patriarch Theophilos III noted that "the mission of Church is to unite, not divide." He said that he prayed for peace in Ukraine.

The head of state invited Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to visit Ukraine.