His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Held Briefing for Journalists Dedicated to Patriarch’s Visit

On Friday, July 24, at the conference hall of the Synodal Departments of the UOC of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr held a briefing for the journalists of the leading mass-media.

The Primate of the UOC answered journalists’ questions.

On expectations

The first questions dealt with anticipations and moods on the eve of the visit: what do the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Primate himself expect of the firs visit of Patriarch Kirill to our country? His Beatitude noted that undoubtedly, the joy and inspiration of the forthcoming event can be felt. “The faithful are happy that the patriarch is coming,” noted His Beatitude. They are happy to have a chance to pray with the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church – the church, having its missions in 65countries of the world.” “We also think is a regular case, ancient tradition of the Church: visiting one’s fold. Apostle Paul, calling to the parishes he founded and where he installed the presbyters, said: “I rejoice that you stay in the teaching of Christ, just as I commanded you to do.”

On honoring memory of the victims of Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor)

“When the visit of His Holiness in Kyiv was scheduled, the laying of flowers and honoring memory of the deceased in the Great Patriotic War to the monument in the square of Glory was planned. His Holiness was told that near the new monument to the victims of Holodomor was situated. The Patriarch expressed desire to lay flowers to the new monument as well, since it is also honoring memory of the deceased people.”

On Ukrainian Lavras and Chersonese

“Chersonese is a historical place, where the Holy and Equal-to-the Apostles Prince Vladimir was baptized. The Cathedral was destroyed and built again only at the end of the 90-ties of the past century. I had to conduct the consecration of the Cathedral and the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine were also present. Now the pilgrims are constantly coming to this shrine, it is a place of commemoration of the baptism of the Holy and Equal-to-the Apostles Prince Vladimir. Therefore the Patriarch is going to attend it too.

There are three Lavras in the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. From the old times they were honoured by our people, and in the times of atheist persecutions they were closed and desecrated. Now these magnificent shrines – the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra and Svyatogorsk Lavra are restored, are on the rebound. Of course, the Patriarch cannot ignore the three Lavras, famous by their history, since they give people spiritual bread.”

On Patriarch’s person

“I have known Patriarch Kirill for a long time, when being very young he worked with Metropolitan Nicodim (Rotov), now late.
The Patriarch is a clever, tolerant and insistent person. I think he is not going to cause any harm to the Church, but on the contrary. Those who turn the believers and the society against him, frighten that he is a great reformer and will bring about the significant changes in the orthodox faith. It is not quite right…

The Patriarch is young, energetic, just, and loves people.”

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On the visit of the construction site of the Cathedral

“His Holiness expressed his desire to visit the construction site of our Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection, in order to pray that the Lord help us complete the construction. As you know, our Church has no cathedral since 1992.

Now we are often asked if the visit of His Holiness will help the construction of the Cathedral. I will answer that we won’t ask, and if anyone wants to help, we won’t refuse…”