Filaret: Visit of Phanar head to Kyiv aims to emphasize dependence of OCU

The head of the liquidated UOC-KP Filaret Denisenko. Photo: RIA Novosti

The purpose of the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine is to emphasize the dependence of the OCU on Constantinople. The head of the liquidated UOC-KP "Patriarch" Filaret Denisenko said this on April 12 in an interview on Ukraine 24 channel.

According to Filaret, "although the OCU is autocephalous, it is under the grip of Constantinople."

“The arrival of the Patriarch of Constantinople (Patriarch Bartholomew – Ed.) is a regular phenomenon,” he voiced the position of the UOC-KP on the upcoming visit of the head of the Phanar to Ukraine. “But what is the purpose of this visit to the celebrations? It is to emphasize the dependence and connection of the OCU not with Moscow but with Constantinople."

He added that "this visit will benefit the dependent Ukrainian Orthodox Church (OCU - Ed.)."

“However, we are fighting for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be independent, because without an independent Church there will be no independent state,” Filaret concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the head of the UOC-KP considers the Tomos of the OCU to prove the lust for power of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

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