Filaret asks MPs to help him grab St. Andrew Church from UAOC

The Kiev Patriarchate turned to MP Andrey Nemirovskiy with a request to help him “as much as possible” get the rights to hold services in St. Andrew church. The patriarch wrote about it in his letter to Mr. Nemirovsky dated November 17.

“We are aware of the fact that the previous user treated the historic temple with negligence, due to which numerous conflicts were provoked with the museum,” writes Filaret (St. Andrew church is administered by the conservation area “Sophia of Kiev” – ed).

He also assures the UAOC, which currently holds divine services in the church, does not have enough believers and does not need such a big building. “Arising from a small amount of the church goers (on big church holidays there are not more than several dozens, while on Sundays there are even less) – the previous user does not actually need such a big temple”.

The UOC KP leader also offers “sufficient financial support” in the event the church is transferred to the Kiev Patriarchate. “From our part, we affirm the UOC of the Kiev Patriarchate is ready to use St. Andrew church and offer sufficient donations for its restoration,” states Filaret.

Currently the issue of the contract prolongation as regards the right to hold worships in St. Andrew church is being considered by the Ministry of Culture, which supervises the conservation area “Sophia of Kiev”.

As it was earlier reported by the UOJ, Filaret gave his blessing to host Eurovision in St. Sophia of Kiev in return of the UAOC eviction