The Ukrainian Orthodox Church asks Ukrainian deputies to refrain from provocative actions during the visit of Patriarch Kirill

Kiev, July 14, Interfax – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church calls the deputies to refrain from expressing their intolerance in regard to the forthcoming visit of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to Ukraine.

“Dear people’s deputies of Ukraine, please, call those who support you, share your political views, and belong to your parties and blocs to keep out any provocative actions and refrain from any expressions of extremism and intolerance,” an address of Archbishop Augustine of Lvov and Galicia to legislators reads as posted on the official website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Augustine noted that he did not urge political forces “to fall in love with Patriarch Kirill all at once”, but “treat the visit of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with view of the only objective of not discrediting Ukraine and its people, rather than based on your own political likes and dislikes and your own views of the church situation in Ukraine.”

“It would be a shame, if the Ukrainian reputation is affected by the words and actions which could in regard of Patriarch’s visit to Ukraine make others think of us as people who are unable to observe proper decorum and express hospitality. It will cast cloud over the reputation of Ukrainian people, rather than the extremist politicians,” the address emphasizes.

Archbishop Augustine acknowledged that “by no means all people’s deputies and politicians welcome” the visit of Patriarch Kirill, however, he highlighted that such position “should remain only a political standpoint, rather than transfer into provocative actions and political offence.”

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