Mikhail Denisenko (former Metropolitan Filaret of Kiev) tries to improve his image through the UN

MIKHAIL DENISENKO (FORMER METROPOLITAN FILARET OF KIEV) TRIES TO IMPROVE HIS IMAGE THROUGH THE UN

The press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (www.orthodox.org.ua) reported that during his stay in the USA former Metropolitan Filaret took part in a celebration hosted by some private persons from the Ukrainian community.

For this end, the organizers took the hall of the UN Library. Some pro-Denisenko statesmen and mass media used this fact to announce his official visit to the United Nations Organization.

Addressing those present, the self-styled “Patriarch of Kiev and All Russia-Ukraine” read out, much to surprise of the audience, a decree on awarding the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan the Order of Prince Vladimir.

Commenting upon the fact the press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said: “Of course, there was no one to be presented with the order, as neither Kofi Annan nor his representative attended the event organized by private persons even if held on the UN premises. The awarding ceremony was Filaret’s personal improvisation; only people of a relative status, not those invited by a group of citizens, could meet with Kofi Annan, UN Protocol officials said. It is unknown where the “high award” is now.”

The happening was evidently another unsuccessful attempt of the self-styled “Patriarch” to win the recognition if not of an Orthodox Church, so at least of secular persons. However, the UN informational resources made no mention of the event.