On February 9, Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine met at his residence with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany Wolfgang Ernst Reichel. The meeting was also attended by Administrator of the Kyiv Patriarchate Archbishop Agapit (Humenyuk) and employees of the Embassy of Germany, according to the official website of the UOC-KP.
After greetings, the hierarch briefed the Ambassador on the religious situation in Ukraine and the problems and prospects of interfaith relations. In particular, the Patriarch stressed the positive experiences of inter-religious and inter-confessional cooperation within the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Patriarch Filaret also referred to the issue of combat action in the east of Ukraine, adding that many believers leave the ranks of the Moscow Patriarchate because of its anti-government position, failing to recognize the blatant Russian aggression and the assertion of “civil” nature of this war.
“But we hope that the war will end soon, because the truth is on our side,” the Patriarch summed up.
In turn, the ambassador thanked the Patriarch for the opportunity to meet and assured that Germany stood for Ukraine. Ernst Reichel said that Germany is a true friend of our country and make every effort for a diplomatic resolution of the situation.
“We never doubted who actually the aggressor is, we are on the side of Ukraine,” said the Ambassador.
At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Filaret thanked the guests and presented new print publications of the Kyiv Patriarchate.