RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Ukrainian president favors Kiev Orthodox patriarchate

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT GREETS HEADS OF CONFESSIONS AT MEMORIAL MARCH FOR "CELESTIAL CENTURY" IN KIEV DIFFERENTLY

Warmest greetings for the patriarch of UPTsKP

Portal-credo.ru, 23 February 2015

 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko led the March of Dignity devoted to the memory of the "Celestial Century" and events that occurred a year ago in the center of Kiev, which led to the change of authorities in Ukraine. The march occurred on 22 February along central streets of Kiev and ended at the Square of Independence [Maidan]. Participants included heads of state, national delegations (including public activists from the RF), leaders of religious confessions, and tens of thousands of Kievans.

 

As a Portal-credo.ru correspondent reports, before the start of the March of Dignity, Petro Porosheko approached the heads of religious confessions who were standing in the front rank of the parade. After shaking hands with leaders of the Muslim, Jewish, and Catholic communities, the Ukrainian president bowed to UPTsMP Metropolitan Onufrey, shook his hand, and exchanged several words with him. Then he kissed UPtsKP Filaret three times.

 

When the procession reached the Square of Independence, the heads of religious organizations performed "the rite of prayer for peace," led by Patriarch Filaret. Around him stood clerics of the UPTsKP and Catholic churches robed in liturgical vestments, but UPTsMP hierarchs, without liturgical vestments, were located some distance from those who were praying. By way of contrast, religious leaders of the Muslims and Jews of Ukraine stood next to the Christian hierarchs.

 

Upon conclusion of the event, Patriarch Filaret and Metropolitan Onufrey shook one another's hands.

 

Previously Petro Poroshenko had the reputation of being a parishioner of the UPTsMP, although as a candidate for president and as president of Ukraine he regularly has participated in worship services of the Kiev patriarchate. (tr. by PDS, posted 23 February 2015)

 


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