Ukraine’s State Leaders Greet Patriarch Filaret on His Name Day

KYIV — On the occasion of the name day of the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, Ukraine’s president and prime minister greeted him on December 14, 2009.

According to the presidential press service, President Viktor Yushchenko expressed his respect for the patriarch as “an adherent of inter-Orthodox unity and consistent supporter of the establishment of one national Orthodox church.” “…I appreciate your firm patriotic and state-supporting position,” added Yushchenko.

According to the press service of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko personally visited Patriarch Filaret. As she greeted him she noted that she felt a deep respect for the work in the spiritual revival of the Ukrainian nation carried out by the hierarch.

The head of the Kyivan Patriarchate and the prime minister held a brief conversation and touched upon questions of social life and the dialogue between the Orthodox Churches.