Was the Ukrainian Orthodox Church militant? Why separate parishes transferred from the Moscow Patriarchate in Kiev? As Ukrainians treat the Russians who support the war, to consider them brothers, and, finally, how to forgive? In an interview Tsenzor.net told the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret.

His Holiness meet after the evening Liturgy. Day the Patriarch was saturated, and the press service of the Kyiv Patriarchate has warned that such a pace Lord lives more than six months from the beginning of the bloody events on the Maidan, and then hostilities in the East. On the day of our conversation, the Patriarch personally took warm clothes for the battalion, "Donbass", specially purchased with the funds of the UOC-KP.
Filaret argues that the Church is not involved in politics, and sustains his people. On the first day after the loss of the Crimea Filaret on behalf of the Kyiv Patriarchate has donated 1 million to the account of the Ministry of defence. In General use, every day different parishes of the Kyivan Patriarchate provide the army and the residents of Donbas, tens of millions of UAH.
And much more important than financial support word, convinces the Patriarch. He said that after the occupation of the Crimea and the beginning of the war in the Donbass, to keep his flock in those regions of the Kyiv Patriarchate is very difficult.
THE KYIVAN PATRIARCHATE FORCE YOURSELF NOBODY TIGHTEN
- Your Holiness, what is the condition of the diocese of the Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate in the Crimea and in the occupied territories of Donbass? Was information that in case of persecution for Your Church in the Crimea Crimean Tatars has offered to conduct services in the mosques.
- This is not the case. The Muslims of Crimea said that if Orthodox-Kyiv Patriarchate will select the temples, they will give us the room that we were sent the worship. But it was not about the mosque. So far, so there was no need. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate really in the Crimea going through hard times. Several of our churches have selected the Ukrainian Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In an uncertain position is diocesan administration. Many of our members were forced to leave the Crimea, because it was dangerous to speak the Ukrainian language. So our flock there decreased.
With regard to the occupied regions of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where the situation is even worse. On-site, which is owned by terrorists, our clergy do not allow worship in the temple. So do not allow Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics and Protestants. The terrorists claim that the right to worship has only Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and take premise to all denominations, except the Moscow Patriarchate. For example, we in Lugansk took the premise of the diocesan administration.
We know that children several Protestant pastors terrorists killed. And 18 of our priests who have left, the terrorists made the list of persons subject to seizure in the event of a hit on their territory. Even if they don't kill, strongly bullied as bullying by other prisoners.
And in that time, Moscow and the President say that the Kyivan Patriarchate stirs up enmity between churches, selecting the churches in the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. I made the statement that the Kyivan Patriarchate force yourself nobody addictive. Those parishes and the faithful who want to go to our Church, we cannot deny.
- How many cases of transition of the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate in Kiev, and how do You feel about such initiatives?
- Now in Ukraine began the process of transition of the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Kiev. Such cases were about 30, but the trend is growing. Moreover, the Moscow Patriarchate itself puts people off from himself his own campaign. People directly ask: "Why should we go to the Church, which protects the enemy?". The believers of the Moscow Patriarchate, because their priests openly campaigning for Putin, Russia urge to pray for them, and the Ukrainian authorities called "Kiev junta". Therefore, we do not select believers and not force anyone to move to the Kyivan Patriarchate.
- However, the transition of believers in another Patriarchy reinforces sectarian tension...
- If the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate does not want to worship in the Church, are called to pray for Putin, they voluntarily go, and conflict between people. This undeclared war that's going on in the East, allowed people to see who is the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

THAT WHEN WE FORMED SINGLE UKRAINIAN CHURCH, I HAVE NO DOUBT
- You can confidently say that the UOC-MP acts in the interests of the Kremlin?
I personally spoke to the head of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onufry with a proposal to raise funds for our army. He refused with this implication, saying that we should not show that our army is weak and needs help. I asked him: "When during the great Patriotic war means the Church was equipped with an entire tank column and the squadron, no one was afraid it would indicate weakness of the Soviet army?" And now the Moscow Patriarchate does not want to help our soldiers, on the contrary supports the separatists. That is, helps those who are struggling with Ukraine, but does not protect it. So it is clear which side is the Church.
The Kyivan Patriarchate helps the army, National guard and volunteer battalions daily. Our assistance is measured not only in money. We have already sent more than 2 thousand tons of cargo for our military. Collect not only clothes, but also food, medicines, body armor. We also acquired for border guards armored jeep, for the National guard - van. A lot of care provided by our parishioners. Many of our parishes by trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the Donetsk region. Poltava eparchy has created a public organization "the Battalion concerned".
In addition, we help refugees and immigrants in Kyiv and other areas. Are these people talk supported. Many of our priests are now in the army volunteer battalions. Pray with the men lift their spirits.
After the election of Metropolitan Onufry You just said that the Ukrainian Church lost from it. What is the relationship of the two Churches today, and in particular the relationship of Your Holiness with Metropolitan Onufry?
- We do not want to quarrel and divide Ukraine. Try a good relationship to maintain. Moreover, we are together included in the all-Ukrainian Council of churches than we emphasize that we have a normal relationship.
- A year ago You were talking about a possible split in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in connection with the desire of the part of the clergy to create a unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Has that changed after the election of a new Metropolitan?
- The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate's really not the only one. Inside there are bishops and priests who are firmly on the side of Moscow. For example, Donetsk, Metropolitan Hilarion. There are Pro-Ukrainian-minded bishops, but they are afraid of punishment from Moscow. The time will come when they will dare to say openly about his position, and unite with us in one Church. And that when we formed one Church, I have no doubt. If they have their state, they should have their local Church.
In case of a complete withdrawal of Ukraine from the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian Church will lose a significant part of their believers. In this case, there can be no question about the Imperial ambitions of Moscow and the recognition of its "third Rome". It is also a political question, and in Russia the Church involved in politics. Russia wants to see Ukraine as part of the new Empire with its center in Moscow. To promote Pro-Russian forces in Ukraine it uses the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
And now Patriarch Kirill presents the situation in Ukraine in a distorted form. It is that in Ukraine there is civil war, which began the Ukrainians who do not want to submit to the allegedly illegal government in Kiev. According to Kirill, Russia is useless.

CAIN AND ABEL HAS NOT CEASED TO BE BROTHERS. AND THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE HAS NOT CEASED TO BE FRATERNAL UKRAINIANS
- You wrote a letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on these words of Patriarch Kirill. Was there any reaction from him?
- There was no answer, and we did not expect to receive it. Just wanted to bring to the Ecumenical Patriarch and other heads of churches truthful information. I exposed the lie that distributes Patriarch Kirill, and said that in fact there is an undeclared war between Russia and Ukraine. Because at the Donbass are not only Russian tanks, Hail, Tornadoes and other military equipment, but also mercenaries and security services.
Perhaps the answer from Bartholomew's not, because the Kyivan Patriarchate is still not recognized by other Orthodox Churches?
All fixated on canonicity and recognition. Forget that all Autocephalous Church, which in different periods were separated from the Patriarchate of Constantinople for some time were not recognized. Greek was not recognized as Autocephalous about 20 years, the Bulgarian - 70 years. The Russian Orthodox Church was not recognized Autocephalous 141 years. Therefore, the Kyivan Patriarchate is not concerned that he is not recognized. On all the time.
Patriarch Bartholomew in 1992 I was told that the Ukrainian Church has the right to autocephaly, but this is only possible when the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will unite. And Moscow is now doing everything to ensure that this did not happen, because it unprofitable a single Ukrainian Orthodox Church. However, the trend is no longer in favor of Moscow. Today, the Kyiv Patriarchate has 15 million believers, the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine 10 million believers.
- His Holiness, You have repeatedly called Putin "a new Cain, because he kills fraternal Ukrainian people. And today a lot of Ukrainians do not consider Russian brothers.
- See how many mixed Russian-Ukrainian families and kinship ties between the two peoples, but we are still brothers. Another thing is that our brother has become the enemy, just as Cain became the enemy and murderer of his brother. But from Cain and Abel has not ceased to be brothers. And the Russian people has not ceased to be fraternal Ukrainians, but through his leadership became our enemy.
I called Putin a new Cain not only because the Russian troops kill Ukrainians. The second reason is the fact that Putin is the world telling the truth about Ukraine, so as Cain told a lie to God. When the Lord asked Cain, "Where is thy brother?", he replied: "am I my brother's Keeper?", although he killed Abel. And Putin on the whole world says that his army is fighting in Ukraine.
- The position of the UOC-KP can be called militant, however, Christianity teaches us to forgive. How to get out of this dilemma: to protect, but to forgive the Russians?
The Lord tells us: "Love your enemies, because they are the creation of God. Christ was crucified for all mankind, including for them. If we are going to do everything to ensure that our enemies are trapped in hell, then we will serve the devil. And we must serve God who wants to save all people. When archdeacon Stephen was stoned, he prayed: "Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do". So our prayer concern and our enemies.
At the same time, we must hate evil and to fight with him. The evil is aggression, which today takes place against Ukraine. With aggression we are fighting, but for enemies ask God to forgive them of their sins. We protect his land and his people. This not only no sin, but on the contrary it shows love. Christ said: "no one has greater love, if his soul and his life shall pay for friends". Our soldiers give their lives for their nation, family and friends - do good. And the aggressors are doing evil.
OUR STATE WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT BLOOD AND WAR. NOW MUST PROVE WORTHY TO HAVE HER
- In the situation when the Church supports the army, she unwittingly becomes embroiled in politics.
The Church separated from the state and the law has no right to interfere in politics. But the Church is not separated from the people. And our nation is part of the Church as our flock. His interests we protect, as well as every Church should do the same.
- How do You perceive the fact that some priests become MPs?
- We prohibit bishops and clergy to stand in the Parliament, because the Parliament is engaged in politics and public Affairs, and the priest must deal with the Affairs of the Church. In addition, working in the Parliament, the priest will not be able to conduct services in his parish. And we bless the priests who want to be elected to local authorities, because not engaged in politics, and solve economic Affairs. The Church is always in need of help - the land for the construction of temples, support for the teaching in schools of Christian ethics. In addition, being a member of a local Council, the priest may conduct worship services in his parish. And to work in Parliament they will be forced to leave his flock.
During the Maidan you stated emphatically that Yanukovych had acted against its own people. Or current Ukrainian government is acting fairly? And support integration into the European Union?
All know that our President defends Ukraine: strengthening the army and defends the interests of the Ukrainian state on the negotiations. We therefore support Poroshenko.
In Europe we have to move, because we are part of European civilization: democracy, technological progress and high quality of life. We should strive for the best. Let's not forget that historically, Ukraine is a European state. During the reign of Vladimir the Great and Yaroslav the Wise, we went to Europe as a Christian state. Daughters and granddaughters of Yaroslav the Wise were Queens of France, Norway, Hungary and Poland. Also, do not forget that the geographical centre of Europe is located in the Ukrainian Carpathians.
Moving to Europe, we not only take, but also give. Spirituality in Ukraine is higher than in the West. For example, when we become full-fledged members of the European Union, will continue to oppose same-sex marriage. Europe itself has not been able to overcome this evil, we will help them. The Ukrainian people such marriages do not perceive, so Ukraine as part of Europe will bring a new attitude to this sin.
- A few months ago You said that "through death and suffering Ukraine firmly unite". We should take the sorrow that fell upon the Ukrainian people, as a test from God?
So, through suffering Ukraine combined into a single unit. I was recently in Kherson and Nikolaev, and I can say that they are quite different than what I had seen before. There opponents of Ukraine quieted down, because from the South people are fighting in the war, and many of them died. People who were indifferent to Ukraine, began to appreciate his people and the state.

Our state we have been without blood and war. And now we must prove worthy to have it. Those suffering Ukrainian people proves that he has the right to have their own state. The Ukrainians themselves are United through the blood - do what you can't do policy.

Source: http://censor.net.ua/