The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, in an interview to Ligabiznesinform on September 15 noted that he is ready to leave his post under two conditions: that the Ukrainian church is united and its autocephaly is recognized by other churches.
The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, in an interview to Ligabiznesinform on September 15 noted that he is ready to leave his post under two conditions: that the Ukrainian church is united and its autocephaly is recognized by other churches.
According to Ukrayinska Pravda, the head of the UOC-KP explained his position by the fact that if there is no unification, attempts may be made to destroy the Kyivan Patriarchate.
“I do not want to give up the church to destruction. And I will not leave the post until I can see that there is one Orthodox church, recognized by everyone, in Ukraine. Then my mission will be fulfilled. Before it is fulfilled, I have no right to leave,” added the head of the UOC-KP.
He reminded that he did not proclaim himself patriarch but the Council of the Church elected him and he must fulfill its will.
Let us remind that Bishop Filaret was elected Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine in October 1995. He has consistently been promoting the establishment of the national Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate in Ukraine since then. In 1997, the hierarchical council of the Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated and anathemized Patriarch Filaret.