UOC (MP) calls information on arrival of Patriarch Kirill 'gossip'

The UOC spokesperson Archpriest Heorhiy Kovalenko commented on the Statement of the Department for Religious and Ethnic Affairs, which says that during the Russian military aggression against Ukraine the visit of Patriarch Kirill to any territory of Ukraine, inclusive of the temporarily occupied territory, is "undesirable, provocative and politically biased."

The UOC (MP) called "gossip" the information that the Synod of the UOC (MP), which now convenes at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, plans to invite the Patriarch to Ukraine.

Commenting on the statement by Chair of the Department for Religious and Ethnic Affairs Volodymyr Yushkevych, the UOC spokesperson Archpriest Heorhiy Kovalenko said: “It's a shame when a public authority makes statements guided by gossip. Unfortunately, such a statement can be interpreted as an attempt of pressure and interference with the internal affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. I think that the hierarchs should draw attention of the state leadership and especially of the Minister of Culture of Ukraine, which is directly subordinate to Mr. Yushkevych, that young government officials need to cultivate the spirit of respect and responsibility for their words and actions, because statements should be done based on real facts, and not on information provocations, previously refuted by our Church”.

The commentary of Fr. Heorhiy Kovalenko was published by the Synodal Information Department of the UOC (MP).