Andriy Parubiy and clergymen from different confessions discuss spirituality, religious freedoms and activity of religious organizations
24 November 2016, 14:00
Andriy Parubiy informed about results of his meeting with Bartholomew I of Constantinople in Istanbul (the Republic of Turkey). He said the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople asked him to congratulate and bless everyone and also requested to thank the Ukrainian parliamentarians for their support to the address requesting provision of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Andriy Parubiy said he invited Bartholomew I to pay a visit to Ukraine. "The Ecumenical Patriarch accepted the invitation and at the earliest possible time I hope we will be able to hold a meeting between the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations and Bartholomew I," he said.
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada noted that as the aggressor Russia is trying to shake the inter-confession peace in order to destabilize the situation in Ukraine.
The meeting participants pointed out the importance of counteraction to extremism especially in its religious manifestation.
In turn, Patriarch Filaret, the head of the non-canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, noted: "once the aggressor understood it is impossible to take Ukraine with weapons, it decided to do its best to destabilize the Ukrainian society from inside."
Clergymen - representatives of different confessions also discussed the issues of spirituality, religious freedoms and activity of religious organizations aimed at strengthening of the state.
They also advocated deepening of the dialogue between the authorities and the society.