Patriarch Filaret assured hierarchs of Russian Church that Kyivan Patriarchate will remain standing after his death

In an official address to the Hierarchical Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) Patriarch Filaret warned the hierarchy of the Moscow Patriarchate that their hopes to destroy the UOC-KP will not come true. He noted that the Kyivan Patriarchate sees the ROC's hopes for the secular authorities to assist in its "efforts to destroy the Kyivan Patriarchate in the near future." 

"Also, many of you repeatedly expressed hope that after my death, the Kyivan Patriarchate would disintegrate naturally," stated the patriarch in his address.

The head of the UOC-KP responded to these expectations of the hierarchy of the ROC by saying that their hopes will not come true and that their convictions are false. "You convince yourselves and others that the church headed by me is just a 'schism' caused by nationalism and ambitions," said the hierarch. He added that he realizes "perfectly well" that the hour of his death is near, reported the press service of the UOC-KP.

"And the Orthodox faith, the confession I have fought for since my youth and to which I have devoted my whole life to serve, urges me to continue to follow the path, to which God and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have called me. What I am doing I am doing knowing that the hour when I am to stand before the Throne of the Impartial Judge is near," reads the document.

At the same time, Patriarch Filaret reminded the brethren from the ROC that they are mortal and that each of them will have to respond to the Lord for their attitude to the UOC-KP.

Водночас Патріарх Філарет пригадав братам з РПЦ, що і вони — смертні, і кожному з них доведеться дати відповідь перед Господом за своє ставлення до УПЦ КП.