Filaret's second letter is a failed ultimatum to the Russian Orthodox Church
The head of the so-called "Kyiv Patriarchate", unrecognized in the Orthodox world, Mikhail Denisenko, who calls himself "Patriarch Filaret", wrote another letter addressed to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). In it, he addresses the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (the foreign part of the Russian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Hilarion.
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Unlike the letter to Patriarch Kirill published almost two weeks ago , in which Denisenko "modestly" signed himself "your brother," in this letter he does not hesitate to call himself "Patriarch of Kyiv and All Ukraine-Rus." The content of the letter is also more assertive and specific. There is no hint of repentance. In fact, it is practically a demand. A demand to lift the anathema (excommunication) imposed on him in 1997 and a demand for autocephaly for... the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), with which Mykhailo Antonovich himself has had no connection for a quarter of a century.
He cannot fail to know that under the name “Ukrainian Orthodox Church” the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine registered the canonical UOC (MP), while the organization of Denisenko himself is officially registered under the name “Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate.” In any case, it turns out to be a completely absurd requirement.
Even if the "Kyiv Patriarchate" were recognized in world Orthodoxy as canonical, it would not have the right to interfere in the affairs of another church, demanding autocephaly for one of its parts. Moreover, this is impossible, given that for world Orthodoxy there is no "Kyiv Patriarchate". If the "Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate" asks for autocephaly for itself, then the Moscow Patriarchate physically cannot provide it, since the "Kiev Patriarchate" is not part of it (even if it were canonical). Autocephaly can only be granted by a local church to its own part.
It is also noteworthy that this letter was signed on the same November 16 as the first one (according to the time of publication). However, it could in no way be accepted in Moscow, either because of the absurd demands or because of the ultimatum form.
One can only assume that this letter was written "retroactively"—to provide "documentary" confirmation of Denisenko's statements at his December 1 press conference that he, as the "Patriarch of Kyiv," "extended a hand of reconciliation to the Russian Orthodox Church for the sake of autocephaly," not for the forgiveness of his "non-existent sins." Thus, to deflect the "patriots'" accusations of "betrayal." Since this demand is utterly absurd, it has been published as a "leak" for now: it can only be found by its direct link in the download database of the Uniate (i.e., allied with the "Kyiv Patriarchate") RISU website, not by searching on that site, and certainly not in news items or articles.
Obviously, the calculation is as follows: if the completely degraded Ukrainian “media” swallow this nonsense and thoughtlessly circulate “Filaret’s demands on the Moscow Church”, the letter will also be published on the official website of the “Kyiv Patriarchate”. If there are doubts about the adequacy of the author of the message, the letter will be declared a fake, written by the "hand of Moscow."
Or… the old man just went crazy.
English version :: Read in English Filaret's Second Letter – a Failed Ultimatum to the Russian Orthodox Church