Dumenko to Filaret: I thought we would cooperate as with honorary patriarch

Dumenko wished Filaret to make "the right decisions" at the end of his life. Photo: Glavkom

The head of the OCU, Serhiy Dumenko, sent his teacher Filaret a congratulatory letter on the occasion of his 95th birthday. The letter was published on Eustratiy Zoria’s Facebook page.

According to Dumenko, the OCU recognises Filaret's contribution to the establishment of the structure, the organisation and holding of the "Unification Council" and receiving the Tomos.

At the same time, he spoke of his unfulfilled "hopes" to cooperate with Filaret as an "honorary patriarch" expecting Denisenko to support him in strengthening autocephaly.

"Unfortunately, you chose a different path – the one that seemed right to you at the time. But a path that neither the fullness of the Church nor Ukrainian society accepted or will accept, which has become clear and obvious over these years," Dumenko said.

He complained about the "pain and sorrow caused to the Church and the people by the bitter consequences of the mentioned choice" and wished Filaret to make "the right decisions for the sake of peace and unity of the Church" at the end of his life's journey.

Earlier, Filaret said that those whom he raised betrayed him and spat in his face.

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