Filaret convenes an assembly to revive UOC-KP / Photo by Roman Romaniuk, AP

Archbishop of Chernihiv and Nizhyn of the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) Yevstratiy (Zorya) has compared Honorary Patriarch of the OCU Filaret's "council" at St. Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv attended by some priests of the former Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), who themselves called it a "local council," with the Unification Council, which took place late in 2018 to disband the UOC-KP and create the new Church.

"The Unification Council at Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral held on December 15, 2018 (the first photo) and the 'separation assembly' at St. Volodymyr's Cathedral on June 20, 2019 (the second photo)," Zorya wrote on Facebook on Thursday, having posted the relevant photos.

The Unification Council at Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral  on December 15, 2018 / Photo from facebook.com/yevstr
The 'separation assembly' at St. Volodymyr's Cathedral on June 20, 2019 / Photo from facebook.com/yevstr

The Archbishop says the assembly is "a humiliation for the historical name of the Kyiv Patriarchate."

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"It is sad to look at a humiliation for the historical name of the Kyiv Patriarchate. But God can turn it for good, even though I don't realize how," he added.

According to media reports, it was a closed-door meeting.

Read alsoAt Filaret's "Council", decision made to restore Kyiv Patriarchate

As UNIAN reported earlier Honorary Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Filaret on May 15 declared his will to preserve the UOC-KP, which was one of the OCU's founders, so that the Kyiv Patriarch's name could be mentioned during church services.

On May 24, the OCU Synod demonstrated the internal unity of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and expressed its support to the head of the church, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epifaniy.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine earlier said that any events held on behalf of the former UOC-KP are unlawful.