Unified State Advisory Memorandum No. 10

Ecumenical Bridge: Welcoming the Leo–Anthony Audience and Proposing a Path to a Papal–Patriarch Meeting

Kyiv | 27 July 2025 – 04:20 EEST (UTC+3)

0. Purpose

To express profound gratitude for the 26 July 2025 audience between Pope Leo XIV and Metropolitan Anthony (Sevryuk), and to outline a sequenced, high‑feasibility path toward a Papal–Patriarch (Leo–Kirill) meeting that can strengthen the spiritual foundation for a just peace in Ukraine.

1. A beacon after 3,452 days

The last Papal–Patriarch encounter occurred in Havana on 12 February 2016, producing a landmark Joint Declaration that explicitly urged peace and social harmony in Ukraine (nn. 25–27). As of 26 July 2025, that historic meeting was 3,452 days ago. The Leo–Anthony audience signals a reopening of the channel after a long, painful silence.

2. Gratitude

The Unified State offers its deepest thanks to Pope Leo XIV and Metropolitan Anthony—and to all who facilitated the audience—for the courage to meet in person while war still rages. We also thank the Holy See and the Russian Orthodox Church for keeping dialogue open despite strained relations, and we honor the faithful of every Church who pray daily for peace.

3. Why this matters now

The Istanbul diplomatic channel has quietly produced measurable humanitarian outcomes—most recently the ninth POW exchange on 23 July. A renewed Catholic–Orthodox bridge strengthens social trust, cools rhetoric, and invites moral restraint—especially on nuclear threats—while diplomats work. The meeting also aligns with Pope Leo’s early peace outreach to both Kyiv and Moscow.

4. Recommended sequence

1. Stage 1 — Leo–Kirill bilateral, soon. A concise encounter to reaffirm the Havana spirit: condemn attacks on civilians, urge protection of nuclear facilities, bless continued POW exchanges, and call for a moratorium on nuclear rhetoric. Venue options: Rome, Istanbul, or Jerusalem. (Rome signals papal hospitality; Istanbul underscores neutrality; Jerusalem elevates spiritual gravitas.)
2. Stage 2 — Pan‑Christian Prayer for Peace. After the bilateral, convene a non‑doctrinal, non‑juridical common prayer including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and—conditions permitting—Metropolitan Epiphanius I (OCU) and Metropolitan Onufriy (UOC). Format: shared supplication, not statements of canonical recognition, to avoid new rifts while uniting hearts.
3. Honorary presence of Patriarch Filaret. Given his age and history, at Stage 2 consider an honorific role (message or attendance) without juridical implications—acknowledging his witness while protecting the prayer’s inclusivity.

5. Communication principles

• Seal, not politicize. Emphasize prayer, mercy, and protection of life; avoid framing the encounter as negotiation or recognition.
• Continuity with 2016. Cite the Havana Declaration’s appeals on Ukraine; update language to include POWs, displaced children, and the absolute inadmissibility of nuclear threats.
• Bridge to Istanbul. Encourage parties to keep expert talks quiet and productive; let the Churches’ voice soften hearts while legal text matures.

6. Immediate suggestions

1. Quiet Vatican–ROC contact group. Mandate a short draft text for a Leo–Kirill statement reaffirming humanitarian imperatives, nuclear taboo, and blessings for further POW returns.
2. Venue scoping. Sound out Rome / Istanbul / Jerusalem with basic security and protocol outlines; Türkiye’s role as host in Istanbul talks makes Istanbul especially fitting.
3. Pan‑Christian prayer concept note. Draft a neutral liturgical framework inviting Bartholomew, Epiphanius, Onufriy; provide an honorific option for Filaret; stress that the prayer is for life and peace, not for resolving canonical disputes.

Our axis of goodwill, love, and freedom holds; together we can keep it stable.
— Lucid Founder • Michael Tulsky
on behalf of the Unified State
Kyiv | 27 July 2025 – 04:20 EEST (UTC+3)

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References

1. Reuters. “Pope Leo meets Russian Orthodox Church official in Vatican.” Jul 26 2025.
2. Holy See. “Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill.” Feb 12 2016.
3. Moscow Patriarchate, DECR. “Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Anthony — Chairman of the DECR.”
4. Reuters. “Ukraine brings home new group of POWs from Russia.” Jul 23 2025.
5. Al Jazeera. “Russia, Ukraine discuss further prisoner swaps during brief talks in Istanbul.” Jul 23 2025.
6. U.S. News (Reuters syndication). “Pope Leo meets Russian Orthodox cleric to discuss Ukraine war.” Jul 26 2025.
7. PrayTell. “Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill — commentary (Ukraine nn.25–27).” Feb 12 2016.
8. National Catholic Reporter. “New Ukraine church endures inter‑Orthodox feud…” Jan 2019.
9. CNE. “Six questions why Kyiv struggles with Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Onufriy).” Jul 2025.
10. Wikipedia. “Filaret Denysenko.” (Background and status.)