The OCU disputes the legitimacy of Patriarch Filaret’s “will”
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine does not officially recognize the document published as the “last will and testament” of the late Honorary Patriarch Filaret, considering it manipulative.
Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zoria), spokesperson for the Holy Synod of the OCU, stated during a briefing that the hierarch had signed the document without actually being familiar with its text.
According to Metropolitan Yevstratiy, the document’s content directly contradicts the actual relationship between Filaret and the Primate of the OCU, Epiphanius, during the last months of the patriarch’s life.
After signing the document in question, regular visits took place between them and active communication was maintained, particularly during Filaret’s treatment.
“By signing at the request of these people, the patriarch essentially gave no consent,” the bishop emphasized, pointing out that the document had been slipped to the hierarch by a group of interested parties.
The OCU believes that the clauses regarding the alleged ban on Filaret’s funeral service in his home church are false.
Metropolitan Evstratiy noted that a video of the signing of the documents appeared on the page of Nikodim Kobzar, who is referred to as the initiator of this campaign.
This gives reason to believe that specific individuals with self-serving motives are behind the dissemination of the so-called will.
The OCU states that the main goal of those promoting the idea of Kobzar’s “succession” is to gain control over the property of the religious community.
Specifically, this concerns St. Vladimir’s Cathedral and the residence of the Honorary Patriarch, which this group is attempting to seize without legal grounds.
“This video was published by the initiators themselves. It first appeared on Nikodim Kobzar’s own page,” confirmed a spokesperson for the OCU, emphasizing the artificial nature of this high-profile case surrounding Filaret’s legacy.
Such statements and documents currently have no legal force.
As a reminder, Patriarch Filaret of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has passed away.
Also, Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv: how Ukraine’s spiritual leader distinguished himself in Orthodoxy.
