50th Anniversary of Bishop's Ministry of Patriarch Filaret Celebrated in Kyiv
On 4 February, 2012, at the National Opera House of Ukraine, a celebratory academy was held on occasion of the 50th anniversary of bishop’s consecration and 45th anniversary of the ministry at the Kyivan Cathedra of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine.
The event was attended by the clergy and laity of UOC-KP, representatives of scholarly and creative intelligentsia, political and public figures. The honorable guests included the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).
The celebratory action began with the “Prayer for Ukraine” performed by H. Veriovka’s National Choir. The Ukrainian patriarch was greeted on the stage of the opera house by the members of the Synod of the Kyivan Patriarchate. The address was made by Metropolitan Dymytrii (Rudiuk) of Lviv and Sokal on behalf of the Synod.
Ukraine’s former presidents, Leonid Kravchuk and Viktor Yushchenko made addresses to greet the patriarch. The head of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Spirituality, Volodymyr Yavorivskyi greeted the hierarch on behalf of the committee.
Vice-Premier of the Government of Georgia, Georgii Baramidze greeted the patriarch on behalf of Gergia’s President, Mikhail Saakashvilli.
Patriarch Filaret made an address outlining the path of his ministry as a bishop.
On 4 February, after the academy, the celebratory events continued in the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr. Patriarch Filaret led all-night vigils.
On 5 February, Patriarch Filaret in concelebration with 40 bishops served a liturgy and a thanksgiving prayer service.
In the Synodal hall of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Archbishop Simeon of Kotor greeted Patriarch Filaret on behalf of the Head of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Mykhail. Archbishop Simeon presented to Patriarch Filaret the Order of the Holy Cross.
In the evening of 5 January, a celebratory reception was held. It was attended by the bishops, clergymen, statesmen, public figures, Ukrainian deputies, scholarly and creative intellectuals, diplomats. So reported the Press-Center of the Kyivan Patriarchate.
