Patriarch Filaret Awarded with Medal in Sambir

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret, was awarded with a medal For Special Contribution to the Development of Sambir during his pastoral visit to the Lviv Oblast on September 20. The medal was presented to the hierarch by the Mayor of Sambir, Taras Kopyliak, reported ZIK.

At a meeting with deputies, directors of companies, representatives of political and public organizations held in the town council, the patriarch made a report presenting his vision of the unification of the Orthodox Churches of Ukraine.

“If there is one national Orthodox church, Ukraine will also develop and gain strength. The church needs the support of the state and the state in its turn needs that of the church. Our progress is found exactly in unity. And we will achieve this by resisting the negative influence of external forces who want Ukrainians to quarrel and fight each other. And we have no right to allow it.”

The patriarch was grateful for the recognition and awarded the mayor of Sambir with a patriarchal letter of gratitude and distinction.