Bishop of Lviv and Halych Filaret (Kucherov) of the Ukrainain Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) published a statement urging the parties of the political conflict in Ukraine not to allow “the citizens of one State to drown in rivers of blood because of their own beliefs.”
“With great regret and fear I watch the situation which is developing our country in recent days!” says Bishop Fileret. “The Holy Church, of course, cannot participate in the political process, because it is a God established body that connects this world with the world of Heaven. It is known that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church condemned political Orthodoxy.”
At the same time, the bishop says the church “unites believers with different political beliefs to which they are entitled as full citizens of their homeland.” Therefore, “it is impossible to quietly observe how violence and hatred are gaining momentum and are beginning to possess the children of one church of different social and official statuses!”
“Let no political provocation cause our hearts to let in the spirit of the devil – hatred and rage! Brothers and sisters, keep your soul in peace and tranquility, hope in God is the main factor in communion with his Creator!” reads the statement.