Patriarch Filaret Would Like to Visit Metropolitan Volodymyr

Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate prays for the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate and would like to meet with Metropolitan Volodymyr, the patriarch said in an Easter interview to the Fifth Channel.

“I would be prepared to meet because it is our position to establish good relations with the bishops, clergy and faithful of the UOC-MP. One should make steps in this regard, particularly pray for them, and we do pray, communicate with them,” he said.

The head of the UOC-KP expressed confidence that sooner or later, the Orthodox Ukrainians will be united in one church.

“We should show our good will to the UOC-MP as we will constitute one Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the future and these are just first steps. Therefore, all these visits, prayers are an expression of our good will,” noted Patriarch Filaret.  

At the same time, he expressed concern over the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church and its head, Patriarch Kirill, still seek to absorb the UOC-MP and force Ukrainians to give up independence and self-government.