President Viktor Yuschenko says the revival of the church is the priority-driven task of his activities.
Yuschenko told this at a conference entitled "Regional Dialogue" [the regional dialogue between the Orthodox churches and the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats in the European Parliament].
The period of the Soviet Union in the Ukrainian history was the saddest period for the Ukrainian church, as the state did not recognize the church.
Yuschenko said the revival of the churches of various confessions would facilitate the consolidation of the Ukrainian nation and the revival of the Ukrainian originality.
According to Yuschenko, the conversion of Kyiv Rus into Christianity by Prince Volodymyr in 988 and the establishment of the Orthodox Church in Kyiv was the first step toward the creation of the Ukrainian state and its recognition in Europe.
"We have every right to live in the European home... This is our goal. I am sure we will achieve it," he said.
Yuschenko voiced hope that the joint marking of the 1020th anniversary of the conversion of Kyiv Rus into Christianity by all Orthodox churches of the world would be another step toward the European integration of Ukraine.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, President Yuschenko believes the unity of Ukrainian Orthodox churches must be the ground for the consolidation of the nation.
On July 26-27, Kyiv will host events marking the 1020th anniversary of the conversion of Kyiv Rus into Christianity.
