Filaret: Georgian Church should remember its history

Head of the UOC KP Filaret

The head of the UOC KP Filaret hopes that the Georgian Orthodox Church will support the autocephaly in Ukraine. Filaret spoke about this in an interview with Ekho Kavkaza (Echo of the Caucasus).

The head of the Kiev Patriarchate recalled that there was a time when the Russian state destroyed the autocephaly of the Georgian Church and appointed the Russian Exarch in Tbilisi.

“So, the Georgian Church should remember its history,” Ekho Kavkaza quotes the leader of the UOC KP. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is having the same story. What do we want from the Georgian Church? When the Ukrainian Church receives the Tomos on autocephaly, we want the Georgian Church to enter into prayerful unity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”

Filaret counts on this because the Georgian people support the Ukrainian people just as the Ukrainian people support the Georgian people.

“On this basis, we hope that the Georgian Church will support the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” concluded the leader of the Kiev Patriarchate.

Earlier, the Georgian Church officially denied the words of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Andrei Parubiy, that the Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia hopes for a positive decision of the Constantinople Patriarchate on granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church.

Read also

Abducted Ukrainian Deacon Dies During Military Training

Abducted and conscripted Ukrainian deacon Orest Cherny, known for his devotion and sacred singing, tragically died at age 46 during military training, leaving a legacy of faith and humility.

Court Hearing on Expulsion of Monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Postponed Again

A long-delayed monastery lawsuit against a sanctuary faces yet another indefinite postponement after the presiding judge went on sick leave.

OCA Clergy Gather for Winter Synaxis Focused on Renewal and Resilience

More than 100 OCA clergy gathered online for the Winter 2025 Synaxis to pray, learn, and reflect on sustaining pastoral ministry and avoiding burnout through renewal in Christ.

Trump Administration Moves to Ban Federally Funded Transgender Procedures for Minors

The Trump administration is moving to bar federally funded hospitals from performing transgender medical procedures on minors, citing evidence of harm and a duty to protect children.

Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies

ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.

Society of St. John's Day of Action Gives Hope Persecution of UOC May Subside, Analyst Says

Political scientist says congressional outreach and high-level U.S. statements signal possible shift in response to persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.