Patriarch Filaret appealed to Metropolitan Epifaniy with a request to withdraw a letter on the closing of accounts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC – KP). He also asked not to interfere in the affairs of the UOC – KP as the press service of the church reported.
“I ask you to withdraw your letter to Oshchadbank on the closing of accounts of Kyiv Patriarchate and not to interfere in the affairs of the UOC – Kyiv Patriarchate in the future. Do not ruin the Church, which was created by great labor and grieving but not yours. Have fear of God! If you do not believe in Him then have a human conscience at least,” Filaret stated.
According to Filaret, after the decision of the UOC – KP on the withdrawal from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epifaniy is not Primate of Kyiv Patriarchate and his decisions and regulations has nothing to do with KP.
UOC – KP Primate noted that the created liquidation commission also has nothing to do with KP.
As it was reported earlier, Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) did not exclude honorary patriarch Filaret from the Episcopate of the church. However, it banned him from the ruling of Kyiv eparchy, the OCU stated at the Synod session. At some point, Filaret conceded a split in the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine and stated that he had the authority to convene a council.
July 31, Ukraine's Culture Ministry stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate ceased to be, as it merged with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Patriarch Filaret, the head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate turned to President Zelensky asking to extend the registration of this religious organization and protect the believers of this church.
