Only four hierarchs have come at the invitation of Patriarch Emeritus
Filaret to commemorate the Hieromartyr Macarius and to have a
"friendly conversation.”
This is reported by BBC.
Out of more than 40 hierarchs of the former UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate,
the journalists noticed only Archbishop Klement of Simferopol and
Crimea, as well as a group of the hierarchs of the Kyivan Patriarchate
from Russia: Metropolitan Ioasaf of Belgorod and Oboyany, his vicar
Bishop Peter and Bishop Adrian.
Archbishop Klyment (Kushch), notes the edition, came to the
celebration solely out of deference to Patriarch Filaret. One of the
most influential hierarchs of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, who was
the main rival of Metropolitan Epifaniy at the Unification Council for
leading role in the new Church, Metropolitan Mykhailo of Lutsk and Volyn
-- called by some media one of the possible allies of Patriarch
Emeritus Filaret --did not come to the celebration.
Metropolitan Epifaniy also did not arrive at St Volodymyr's Cathedral. On this day he has a scheduled visit to Mariupol.
During the Liturgy, Patriarch Emeritus Filaret remembered
Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All-Ukraine in the diptych of the
Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches.
Yesterday, May 13, the same hierarchs of the former UOC-KP prayed at
the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr at the all-night vigil, which preceded
the Liturgy. According to journalist Yaroslava Mishchenko, who attended
the Divine Liturgy, a split in the OCU did not take place.
“I once again congratulate Patriarch Filaret. He managed to create
the freedom-loving Church, at least for that we will continue to be
grateful to him. Although it will not be as it used to be before.
Duality of power can no longer persist. Finally, this is dangerous,”
wrote Mishchenko.
As RISU has reported, Patriarch Emeritus Filaret invited to St
Vlolodymyr's Cathedral the former bishops of the UOC-KP to honor the
Hieromartyr Macarius and to have a friendly conversation.
Patrairch Emeritus Filaret sent the invitation on the letter paper of
the Kyiv Patriarchate to all bishops except Metropolitan Epiphany.
After publicity in the media, he also invited the head of the OCU
Epifaniy.
Previously, Patriarch Emeritus Faleret criticized the present Charter
of the OCU and claimed that the Kyiv Patriarchate still existed.
Today's “friendly conversation” with the hierarchs in St Volodymyr's
Cathedral was called by some observers Patriarch Filaret's attempt to
revive and lead the UOC-KP and thus split the OCU.