Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine Filaret

On Thursday, December 18, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with the Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine Filaret.

The Patriarch Filaret said that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church supports the Government's efforts to overcome the economic crisis.

For his part, he said that the Church not only prays but makes every effort to facilitate the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers and the entire central government. "We have already taken appropriate measures to combat corruption. We’ve taken a decision that we won’t receive corruptors," he added.

Filaret expressed admiration for patriotism and dedication with which the Ukrainians from all over the country help the Ukrainian military. He informed how the Church provides the ATO fighters with clothes, food, medical supplies, ambulances, "This is all supported by the people. This is evidence that there is a unity of Ukrainian society in such difficult conditions."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk congratulated the Patriarch on the day of its patron saint - Filaret the Merciful and on behalf of the Government of Ukraine thanked the Church "for the high level of spiritual and moral support for Ukraine": "We very much appreciate your prayer, your hard word and confidence. You are inspiring faith in the Ukrainians that we will overcome all these complex challenges."

The Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Patriarch discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the State and the Church in the sphere of social service, education, humanitarian assistance to temporarily displaced persons, strengthening ties with the Ukrainians overseas.