On Dignity and Liberty Day Patriarch Filaret urged Ukrainians to stand together in order to defeat the enemy

On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Dignity and Liberty Day – a holiday established to commemorate the Orange Revolution (2004) and the Revolution of Dignity (2013-14), which started this day to oppose lawlessness and injustice. Patriarch Filaret spoke to Ukrainian people on this occasion.

The document notes the important social role of the Church and appeal to those who are “trying to pollute and reduce the public role of the Church – do not act like godless Soviet power, do not become partners with those who fought against their own people that took to Maidan to rightfully protest. Open your hearts to dialogue and do not incite devastating hatred in society against the Church.”

Patriarch Filaret urged those who have obligations related to their position – from top state officials and ordinary employees up to the local level, “Beware of corruption as a burning fire! For if the one guilty of corruption does not stop sinning, does not repent and does not correct himself – unjust riches collected in a criminal way and related temporary delights of life will turn heavily on their neck as the burning fire of eternal torment, and eternal condemnation of God and eternal suffering.”

Patriarch Filaret warned all the political forces of the "irresponsibility and populism” and called: “Work for Ukraine, and not for your position in Ukraine!” All this should be done, according to the UOC-KP to build a democratic system in Ukraine.

Patriarch Filaret warned of the desire to hold extraordinary elections, since, as the statement says, it may plunge the country into chaos and lead to the complete destruction of state institutions.

We have no right, Patriarch Filaret stresses, to allow that bitter words Hetman Ivan Mazepa come true: “Perished through disagreement, conquered ourselves by ourselves!”

"Criticism of individuals and their actions should not become ruin and destruction of the very foundations of statehood. Criticizing the actions of the President, the Cabinet, the Parliament and other institutions, one needs to maintain respect and support these very institutions – this is the only way democracy can work.

Therefore, with all the responsibility, I want to testify to the Ukrainian people as a citizen that the institutions, namely the President, Parliament and local government elected on democratic and free elections, must exercise their powers until the end of the statutory period. Political forces should not incite hatred in society but work together for the good of Ukraine, in order to convince voters to trust them to the authorities in the next elections not by populist slogans but responsible activities,” urged the Primate of the UOC-KP.

Messages to Ukrainians: “As long as you live in public order, rally together and stand unbreakable all for one and one for all, no enemy force will overcome you.”