Poroshenko called the basis of Moscow’s “reckless decision of the Kiev princes.”
KIEV, 19 APR — RIA Novosti. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko called the basis of Moscow “the rash decision of ancient princes,” saying that the formation of the independent Orthodox Church “to restore historical justice”.
On Tuesday, Poroshenko said that he intends to appeal to the Constantinople Patriarchate for Kyiv resolution on the creation of a single local Autocephalous Church. According to him, the Synod’s decision can be made until 28 July. The President asked the Parliament to support his appeal.
“This long-awaited Tomos (permission — ed.) will not only be a triumph of Orthodoxy, but also an act of restoration of historical justice, deep. It is from Tsargrad (Constantinople — ed.) was shed for our blessed land the light of the Christian faith. Then we shared it with the Zalesye, where the ancient Kievan princes very ill-founded Moscow”, — said Poroshenko on Thursday, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The Moscow Patriarchate has in the past expressed the hope that the Ecumenical Patriarchate will not change its position on supporting the canonical Church in Ukraine.
In Ukraine today there are canonical UOC-MP, which is a self-governing Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, and unrecognized by the world Orthodox Church structures — the “Kiev Patriarchate” (UOC-KP) and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). The UOC-MP has repeatedly reported on cases of harassment of priests and seizures of Orthodox churches.