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| Russian patriarch calls for unity | Russian patriarch calls for unity |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has told worshippers in Ukraine their breakaway Church must reunite with Moscow. | The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has told worshippers in Ukraine their breakaway Church must reunite with Moscow. |
| After leading prayers at the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, he appealed to them to "return to the father's house". | After leading prayers at the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, he appealed to them to "return to the father's house". |
| The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in the early 1990s. | The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in the early 1990s. |
| Thousands marched through the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday to protest against the patriarch's visit. | Thousands marched through the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday to protest against the patriarch's visit. |
| Demonstrators carried placards denouncing what they see as Russian interference in their country, and in support of the Kiev Patriarchate. | Demonstrators carried placards denouncing what they see as Russian interference in their country, and in support of the Kiev Patriarchate. |
| Independence aspirations | Independence aspirations |
| The protest coincided with a service at the Pechersk Lavra marking the 1,021st anniversary of the conversion to Christianity of Kievan Rus, the ancient state that gave rise to modern-day Ukraine and Russia. | The protest coincided with a service at the Pechersk Lavra marking the 1,021st anniversary of the conversion to Christianity of Kievan Rus, the ancient state that gave rise to modern-day Ukraine and Russia. |
| The aspiration to brotherly unity has not melted among Orthodox Ukrainian people Patriarch Kirill | The aspiration to brotherly unity has not melted among Orthodox Ukrainian people Patriarch Kirill |
| During the ceremony, Patriarch Kirill called on the Kiev Patriarchate to reunite with the Moscow Patriarchate, which considers it schismatic. | During the ceremony, Patriarch Kirill called on the Kiev Patriarchate to reunite with the Moscow Patriarchate, which considers it schismatic. |
| "Not all our brothers of the same faith share this holiday today," he said. "Some find themselves outside the Church's saving fence, outside its precious unity." | "Not all our brothers of the same faith share this holiday today," he said. "Some find themselves outside the Church's saving fence, outside its precious unity." |
| "The aspiration to brotherly unity has not melted among Orthodox Ukrainian people. I saw it myself today when I was looking at you all," he added. | "The aspiration to brotherly unity has not melted among Orthodox Ukrainian people. I saw it myself today when I was looking at you all," he added. |
| The Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence. | The Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence. |
| The conversion to Christianity of Kievan Rus was celebrated on Tuesday | |
| It has sought the status of a legitimate, independent national Church, not answering to Moscow, from the ultimate spiritual authority in the Orthodox world, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. But he has provided no clear response. | It has sought the status of a legitimate, independent national Church, not answering to Moscow, from the ultimate spiritual authority in the Orthodox world, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. But he has provided no clear response. |
| Its efforts are also strongly backed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who believes a recognised independent church is a key part of strengthening Ukraine's national identity. | Its efforts are also strongly backed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who believes a recognised independent church is a key part of strengthening Ukraine's national identity. |
| However, BBC Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says the Russian Orthodox Church wields considerable political weight, and plays a role in the Kremlin's policies aimed at strengthening the Russian state and its influence abroad. | However, BBC Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says the Russian Orthodox Church wields considerable political weight, and plays a role in the Kremlin's policies aimed at strengthening the Russian state and its influence abroad. |
| This is what makes Patriarch Kirill's visit to Ukraine so divisive, our correspondent says. | This is what makes Patriarch Kirill's visit to Ukraine so divisive, our correspondent says. |
| Nationalist groups, many Ukrainian-speakers and the congregations of the Kiev Patriarchate see him less as a religious pastor, and more as a political activist seeking to boost the Kremlin's influence in their land, he adds. | Nationalist groups, many Ukrainian-speakers and the congregations of the Kiev Patriarchate see him less as a religious pastor, and more as a political activist seeking to boost the Kremlin's influence in their land, he adds. |