Patriarch Filaret Supports EuroMaidan and Cautions Law Enforcers Against Using Force

Regarding demonstrations in support of Ukraine's European integration, Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, issued a statement on November 25, in which he says that “Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union is a way to preserve Ukrainian statehood against aggressive attacks on it by the advocates of the restoration of a vanished empire.”

Supporting the right of every citizen to peacefully declarations and to defend their opinions, the patriarch called on all who are involved in demonstrations in support of European integration to preserve the peaceful nature of their actions and not to succumb to provocations to violence.

The patriarch urges representatives of the state to ensure citizens the right to peacefully express their positions to avoid further division of the society and not to harm Ukraine.