Zelensky says Patriarch Bartholomew offered condolences over Filaret’s death

Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Phanar press service

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople expressed his condolences to President Volodymyr Zelensky over the death of Filaret Denysenko, according to an official statement released by the Ukrainian presidential press service following their meeting in Istanbul.

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In the statement, Denysenko was referred to by the title used in the OCU.

“Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his condolences over the passing of the Honorary Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine, Filaret,” the text said.

The statement does not say whether the Patriarch of Constantinople himself used the title “Honorary Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine” in reference to Filaret.

The report on the meeting issued by the press service of the Church of Constantinople makes no mention of Filaret.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to Fr. Vadym Novynskyi, Zelensky is waging his campaign against the UOC in alliance with Patriarch Bartholomew.

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