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Re-gaining the state recognition in the late 1980s, the Church was initially governed from abroad by Patriarch [[Mstyslav (Skrypnyk) of Kiev]]. Subsequent to his death, he was succeeded by Patriarchs Volodymyr (Romanyuk) and Dymytry (Yarema). Patriarch Volodymyr would, during his time as patriarch, separate from the [[UAOC]] to found the UOC-KP, together with Metropolitan (now Patriarch) Filaret (Denysenko).
In 2003, the Church Sobor elected Metropolitan MEFODIY (Kudriakov) of Ternopil to lead the church. As Father & Head of the UAOC worldwide, he is Metropolitan of Kyiv & all Ukraine. Since his elevation, he has worked towards a more global visibility for the church, including a pastoral visit to the United States in 2006. He has fostered continued positive relations with the Ukrainian government and other religious communities.
Geographically the church now has a stronger presence in Western Ukrainian provinces with a smaller representation elsewhere. Previous to 1995, there were more parishes abroad in the Ukrainian diaspora communities of Canada and the United States. However, many of these parishes now form the separate churches (which are eparchies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople), the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada]] and the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA]].
The [[UAOC]] however, has maintained an ecclesiastical structure outside of Ukraine. There are eparchies in [http://www.uaoc.org North & South America, Western Europe and elsewhere]. Metropolitan Mykhayil (Javchak) heads the [[UAOC]] in the Americas and other locations. Significant growth has taken place in recent times in Latin America. There is also a parish of the church in Canberra, Australia. His Beatitude MEFODIY continues to provide for the spiritual enrichment of the [[UAOC]] throughout the world. He has given special emphasis to the improvement of seminary life and the education of candidates for the ministry. He is also committed to the ongoing dialog for the unification of the Ukrainian Orthodox churches.
==Source==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Autocephalous_Orthodox_Church Wikipedia Article]
