MOSCOW (AsiaNews): In an interview in the Georgian edition of Azattyk [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty], the 93-year-old Orthodox Patriarch Emeritus Filaret [Denisenko] of Kviv compared Russia’s war on Ukraine to the biblical combat between David and Goliath, which ended with the victory of the boy over the giant.
“Ukraine will defeat Russia because God is with Ukraine, not Russia: He is on the side of truth, not lies. And the victory of Ukraine will be a victory of the whole of Europe, and of every peaceful country,” Patriarch Emeritus Filaret said.
Remarking on proclamations of his former “godson” [Russian Orthodox Patriarch] Kirill of Moscow, the patriarch emeritus said observed, “[Kirill] says black instead of white and vice versa, when he says that Russia has never invaded anyone, least of all Ukraine…everyone can see the truth!”
He was also not happy to read Pope Francis’ interview in Corriere de la Serra suggesting that NATO “barking” at Russia’s doorstep may have triggered the war.
He said, “We have nothing to fear from NATO and Russia has no reason to fear Ukraine, rather it is other countries bordering Russia, which is really an aggressor country, that are in danger, and for the Russians the Caucasus and Central Asia are also Russian lands.”
Patriarch Emeritus Filaret suggested that “the pope is trying to appease Moscow, which is why he said he wants to see Putin before coming to Kviv [for his proposed visit].”
He added however, that “this does not matter much, all ways are good to support peace and we are on the Vatican’s side in this.”
He is pleased that the positions of the autocephalous Orthodox Church are being strengthened in this difficult period
Patriarch Emeritus Filaret expressed his hope that all peoples will come together in prayer for peace and the defense of Ukraine, “because when others help us, it means that they are helping themselves.”
