President awards the "Hero of Ukraine" title to Filaret Denisenko
"Honorary acting spiritual mentor" of the OCU "Patriarch" Filaret Denisenko and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko
On January 8, 2019, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the Decree on conferring upon the “honorary acting spiritual mentor” of the newly-established church structure "Patriarch" Filaret Denisenko the title of the Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the State, reports the official site of the Presidential Administration.
The presidential press service says that the 'Hero of Ukraine' title is being awarded to Filaret for his outstanding historical role in the establishment of an independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, activities aimed at reviving the spirituality of the Ukrainian people, strengthening the authority of Orthodoxy, promoting ideals of compassion and interreligious harmony.
The President himself called Denisenko "the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian people".
"The measure that can be used to measure the contribution of Patriarch Filaret to the fight for the Local Church has not yet been invented. He was, is and remains the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian church, the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian people. That is why I've decided to award him the 'Hero of Ukraine' title," Poroshenko wrote on Facebook on January 8.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted in favour of including the anniversary of Filaret Denisenko in the list of memorable dates for 2019.
Read also
Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration
The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.
Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents
The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.