Filaret expects Zelensky to support the creation of unified OCU
Filaret counts on Zelensky’s assistance in uniting Ukrainian Orthodoxy
“From the new President Zelensky, we expect the state to facilitate the creation of a single Orthodox Church in Ukraine,” said Filaret (Denisenko), “Honorary Patriarch” of the OCU. “But the state does not interfere in internal affairs, and this has been and will be so, just as the Church does not interfere in political affairs but supports the Ukrainian state from moral positions.”
He added that he positively perceives the new language law, which experts criticize as totalitarian. According to him, the law means that parliamentarians care about Ukraine.
“Today I was in the Verkhovna Rada, when there was a vote for this law and the deputies were afraid whether they would gain 226 votes, but unexpectedly gained 278 for this law, and this suggests that the Ukrainian MPs stand on government positions and take care of their state. We are very grateful to them,” Filaret stressed.
Filaret came to the Verkhovna Rada to support the language law on Holy Thursday, when in all Orthodox churches a liturgy was performed.
Read also
In Pasika, Transcarpathia, priest defects to OCU while community remains in UOC
In the village of Paseka in Transcarpathia, believers discussed the future fate of their church.
In Sumy, Presentation Church of UOC damaged by shelling
In the Sumy Eparchy, the walls and fence of the Presentation Church were damaged as a result of shelling, but divine services continue.
Ukraine loses almost 98% of cases at European Court of Human Rights
According to the ECtHR’s 2025 report, nearly all complaints against Ukraine end with findings of human rights violations.
UOC Chancellor on Kyiv Council decision targeting UOC: Obvious lawlessness
Metropolitan Anthony said the document adopted by the Kyiv Regional Council violates the Constitution, interferes with freedom of religion, and exceeds the body’s authority.
In Finland, Constantinopolitan Church hierarch convicted of fraud
A Finnish court found the former archbishop of the Constantinople Patriarchate guilty of manipulating state subsidies and committing financial violations.
His Beatitude: Pure faith is the only path to soul salvation
On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Primate of the UOC urged the faithful not to tailor faith to human reasoning and passions, and reminded them of the significance of the Ecumenical Councils.