Patriarch Filaret Calls on Ukrainians to Stay United

28.03.2014, 10:25
Patriarch Filaret Calls on Ukrainians to Stay United - фото 1
Patriarch Filaret called on Ukrainians to stay united due to the threat of Russian occupation of the country.

9e1609c7142-f.jpgPatriarch Filaret has called on Ukrainians to stay united due to the threat of Russian occupation of the country. This Primate of the Kyiv Patriarchate said in his statement (full text in Ukrainian).

"The enemy has attacked our country, occupied part of the Ukrainian land. In fact, without declaring war, the Russian authorities have already started a war against Ukraine," he said.

"Kremlin's plans cannot be stopped only with weapons or foreign aid but with our fortitude and our unity. If we, the citizens of Ukraine, belonging to different nationalities, religions, political movements, are united as one people, if we stand in defense of Ukrainian statehood, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity - the enemy's plans will not be fulfilled," writes the Patriarch.

Patriarch Filaret therefore calls on Ukrainians not succumb to panic and stop arguments, because "the future of Ukraine, our shared home, is more important than any issues that divide us."

"God and truth are on the side of the Ukrainian people because we do not wish anyone harm, but only want peace and friendship with our neighbors to live in our own home - united and independent Ukraine. I believe that through our unity, strength of spirit and mutual support, with God's help, together we go through all these challenges.

"May God inspire us with wisdom," said  Patriarch Filaret.