Poroshenko pays for Local Church advertising from his own resources, – AP

Petro Poroshenko at the "moleben" of the UGCC in Zarvanitsa on July 15

Officials also assure that all advertising costs will be reflected in the declaration of the head of state, writes "Ukrinform".

"We did not spend a penny from the state budget on the television commercial "We – Ukraine". The advertising campaign expenses were covered by Petro Poroshenko from his personal funds," the press service of the President cites the resource.

The AP added that when signing contracts with TV channels Poroshenko paid all the necessary taxes, and these expenses will be reflected in his declaration.

Earlier, the President of Ukraine explained that the Single Local Church would not become a state church, and the constitutional principle of freedom of conscience would not be violated. The head of state has repeatedly stressed that "he remains firm that the Church in Ukraine should be independent of the state".

The other day, a special page "Tomos-2018" was created in the Facebook social network, where the granting of autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine is promoted by the head of the UOC KP and singer Ruslana Lyzhichko.

In mid-April, Poroshenko turned to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople with a request to grant Tomos on autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine and announced the creation of the Single Local Church. The Verkhovna Rada supported the President’s appeal. The Kiev Patriarchate has already stated that they see their leader Filaret, excommunicated by the canonical Church, at the head of the SLC.

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