Patriarch Emeritus Filaret to representatives of Constantinople: I respect Patriarch Bartholomew and will pray for him until the end of my life
On May 22, Patriarch Emeritus Filaret met at his residence with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and the Second Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, deacon Gregory (Frangakis). This is stated on Patriarch Filaret’s Facebook page.
Patriarch Emeritus Filaret congratulated the high guests and thanked the Mother Church – the Ecumenical Patriarchate and personally His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew for granting the Tomos of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and his constant support.
“I am asking you to convey the gratitude to His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the fact that His Holiness made for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church when the Tomos of autocephaly was given to us. I honor Patriarch Bartholomew, I lift prayers for him every Liturgy, and will pray for him until the end of my life,” said Patriarch Emeritus Filaret.
He stressed that in this difficult time for Ukraine, when the open aggression of Russia against the state is ongoing, the Church will do everything possible to protect the independence of Ukraine and the unity of the Church as the spiritual foundation of the state.
“We will always defend the interests of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church and do our utmost to ensure that the Ukrainian Church is united and always serves the interests of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian state,” the Patriarch said.
Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed Easter greetings from His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and expressed his joy from the meeting and his visit to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in order to support it and give evidence of love and fraternal unity.
The participants of the meeting touched upon the general issues of church life, discussed the process of recognition of autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church by other Local Orthodox Churches and many other issues of mutual interest.
As the message says, the conversation, which lasted about three hours, proceeded in a warm and friendly ambience. At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged memorable gifts.
