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Ukraine experts-

I was reading a news article, and I was struck when it said words to the effect of "Patriarch Volodymyr of the Ukranian Orthodox Church-Kiev Patriarch supported the candidacy of Yanukyovich wholeheartedly".

Isn't the UOC-KP Patriarch named Filaret? And I can't imagine he either favors or would so blatantly advocate Yanukovych's candidacy.

Seems like a very strange error if it is one to me.............

Marc- I'm no expert, but as far as I can figure it, the ecclesiastical situation of Ukraine can best be described as "chaotic"... there are numerous claimants to legitimacy, Orthodoxy, and patriarchy. Alex, I'm sure could enlighten us...
-Daniel

There was one before Filaret whose name was Volodymyr (Vladimir).

He died around 1996 and is buried right outside of St. Sophia's Sobor (under a sidewalk) in Kyiv.

The pressman probably got his named confused with Met. Vladimir, UOC-MP. I can garuntee he wouldn't support Yushchenko. He is a pro-Moscow boy like Yanukovych and Dubya.

-uc

Here is a photo of Patriarch Filaret and President Yushchenko.

President Yushchenko regularly attends St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/041121/481/xaz11011211440

So what exactly is going on over there? I haven't paid much attention (typical American) but heard something about the election today on NPR. The report said that the guy who won has a lot of criminal buddies and that people are taking to the streets alleging election fraud.

They also had a little discussion about whether the Ukrainians are Russians or a different ethnic group. I don't know enough about it to have an opinion. Although I gather it's quite a contentious issue.

I'm a little nervous about a country with a bunch of nuclear weapons having 'unrest.'

Ukraine is de-Nuked.

A large percentage of the country uses Russian as a first language, especially at the eastern extreme and the Crimea. Some of these are yearning for closer ties to the Russian Republic.

Blessings!

Nice discussion on pbs news hour this evening.
We will see if our proclaimed ambition to spread the blessings of democracy applies in places like Ukraine. Will we make a stand?

Jennifer,

The short answer is that Ukrainians are not Russians; the longer answer gets into who are and who are not Ukrainian.

Unless you elect to either marry a Ukrainian, canonically transfer to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, or enter into communion with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, you don't want to explore that subject too deeply - or, at least, most of us would prefer you not do so . It's an old and painful topic here that has likely consumed more bandwidth than the Filioque and Petrine primacy combined .

Should you be masochistic enough to want to explore it in depth , pm one of us and we'll direct you to some past threads on the subject. If you decide to pursue the subject on the open forum, I'm afraid we'll be forced to dislike you and probably hurl anathemas and pierohi in your direction :p .

Many years,

Neil, who is being only somewhat facetious

Jennifer - you really do not want to go there - the past discussions I mean - honest you don't.

As to the Elections - well according to the press over here , and elsewhere too , there undoubtedly were gross irregularities - mention has been made of buses bringing in folk, who had voted in 1 area, to other areas and giving them absentee ballots so they could vote again - needless to say these buses were painted in one of the candidates Party colour.

I believe that the situation could be best be described as ' Tense but peaceful '

Let's hope that all concerned can actually get round the table and settle this. This sort of thing is NOT good for Ukraine

Anhelyna

WOW Ukrainian Catholic - fantastic photos on the Site you linked to - some I have seen but not others - thanks for that link

I would also guess he is referring to Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan, the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC/MP).

I figured as much too, probably an error on the part of the reporter.

Thanks for all the responses!

Dear Jennifer,

This article about the Ukranian election on the BBC, is quite interesting and informative:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4043315.stm

To all Ukrainians reading this. I know that you people do not like 'the' to be placed before Ukraine, but I am so, so accustomed to it...and so I give you my apologies.


Zenovia

Dear Zenovia:

Honestly, we're so thrilled that the world is talking about Ukraine and paying attention to the people's demands for fair elections that, for now, we'll let you slide.

Yours,

hal

Dear Zenovia ,

This time in my British eyes, your use of 'the' was correct - you were after all talking about the Election in Ukraine

Hal

Indeed - please note the word I have put into bold for you [Linked Image]

Anhelyna - the non Ukie

Hey, I can believe anyone not understanding what is going on in Ukraine. I am afraid that outside Russia, Greece, and a few Eastern European countries, Orthodoxy is not a large enough religion to be politically significant. Eastern Catholics are even less so. Another factor is that many places have never seen a Ukrainian. We only have a few in my area. So trying to make sense out of the confusing religious and political situation in Ukraine is really difficult. As I keep reading posts on the elections, I am getting a clearer picture of what is happening there. So please keep posting, folks.