Ukrainian Department for Religions and Nationalities strongly opposes visit of Patriarch Kirill to Ukraine - RISU

19 June 2014

Director of Religious Affairs and Nationalities Ministry of Culture of Ukraine Volodymyr Yushkevych in his official statement on June 19 declared the strong position of the authorities that it's not appropriate for Patriarch Kirill to visit any territory of Ukraine, including that which is temporarily occupied.

The Department for Religions and Nationalities of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine called that probable visit during the Russian military aggression carried out against Ukraine, "undesirable, provocative and politically engaged."

"Ukraine within the framework of law and rule of law will ensure that the visit is not carried out in any area of ​​our country, including the temporarily occupied area. In my opinion, a visit of the Russian Orthodox Church can only generate a wave of interdenominational conflict, and therefore is only possible after the cessation of the aggression and the return of all seized territories to Ukraine," Volodymyr Yushkevych said in a statement.

As we informed earlier, today, June 19, at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate is held and is discussing the invitation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to Ukraine.


Department for Religions and Nationalities strongly opposes visit of Patriarch Kirill to Ukraine