Filaret explained why they continue to call him “patriarch”
The permanent head of the non-canonical “Kyiv Patriarchate” Filaret still bears the title “Honorary Patriarch”, since thanks to his work “it was possible to maintain the existence of the UOC-KP and, ultimately, to revive the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
This was reported by the press service of the newly created “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which is subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
“Patriarch Filaret bears the well-deserved title of “Honorary Patriarch.” But during worship or during conversation we use Patriarch Filaret. We do this with our great respect for his works, without which there would not have been a multimillion-dollar flock and clergy of the UOC-KP, which together with the UAOC became the foundation on which the Ukrainian Church was revived,” the OCU explained.
The press service of the church clarified that “former metropolitan” Filaret, as a rule, is “titled” in the Russian Orthodox Church and this, in their opinion, is incorrect.
Regarding Metropolitan Macarius, his official title is now Metropolitan Macarius of Galicia.
Earlier it was reported that the head of the unrecognized UAOC, Metropolitan Macarius, and the head of the unrecognized UOC-KP Filaret were not present at the presentation of the tomos in Constantinople. The reason for their absence in one of the dioceses of the UAOC was said to be that Filaret refuses to accept the rank of metropolitan, but wants to remain a patriarch.
On January 6, Patriarch Bartholomew granted a tomos to the newly created Metropolis of Constantinople in Ukraine. The presentation ceremony took place at the divine liturgy, which was jointly celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew and the head of the “OCU”, Metropolitan Epiphanius, in the Patriarchal Church of Saints George the Victorious.
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