Filaret expects Zelensky to support the creation of unified OCU
Filaret counts on Zelensky’s assistance in uniting Ukrainian Orthodoxy
“From the new President Zelensky, we expect the state to facilitate the creation of a single Orthodox Church in Ukraine,” said Filaret (Denisenko), “Honorary Patriarch” of the OCU. “But the state does not interfere in internal affairs, and this has been and will be so, just as the Church does not interfere in political affairs but supports the Ukrainian state from moral positions.”
He added that he positively perceives the new language law, which experts criticize as totalitarian. According to him, the law means that parliamentarians care about Ukraine.
“Today I was in the Verkhovna Rada, when there was a vote for this law and the deputies were afraid whether they would gain 226 votes, but unexpectedly gained 278 for this law, and this suggests that the Ukrainian MPs stand on government positions and take care of their state. We are very grateful to them,” Filaret stressed.
Filaret came to the Verkhovna Rada to support the language law on Holy Thursday, when in all Orthodox churches a liturgy was performed.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.