Patriarch Filaret expresses condolences over death of Metropolitan Volodymyr (UOC-MP)

Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine Filaret expressed his condolences and urged to pray for the repose of Metropolitan Volodymyr’s soul.

"We learned of the repose of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan). 

The last years of his life were particularly severe. But as believers we know that God's power reveals itself in weakness. And we all witnessed that in these last years, due to the position of Metropolitan Volodymyr, his concern for the future of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, a gradual rapprochement started between the Church he headed and the Kyiv Patriarchate.

Many have tried and continue trying to prevent this rapprochement, our dialogue and understanding. But in bodily infirmities Metropolitan Volodymyr was able to clearly express his will and desire for ecclesial peace and understanding, when last year, during celebrations to mark the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine he warmly greeted in public the head of the Kyiv Patriarchate.

The Lord called now the Blessed Vladyka to his celestial abode. His difficult earthly life completed. And our duty as Christians is to sincerely pray for the repose of his soul.

I express my condolences to all who loved the reposed Metropolitan as their pastor and mentor, to whom he was a dear one and a close friend.

I urge all of our congregation to pray for the repose of newly departed Metropolitan Volodymyr. May the Merciful Lord receive his soul in the abode of the righteous. May he gives him the kingdom of heaven and eternal peace!” the UOC-KP official site reports Patriarch Filaret’s words.