Ukraine's President names leader of new church in split from Russia

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko congratulates newly elected head of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox church Metropolitan Epifaniy (Dumenko) at the Saint Sophia's Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich - Copyright GLEB GARANICH(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 15/12/2018 - 17:02•Updated 26/04/2024 - 02:10

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KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine chose the leader of a new national church on Saturday, marking an historic split from Russia its leaders see as vital to the country's security and independence.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Metropolitan Epifaniy, of the Kiev Patriarchate church, had been chosen as head of the new church.