KIEV, Feb. 8 – Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patriarchate) Patriarch Filaret has called on President Viktor Yanukovych to prevent the transfer of some national holy places to the Moscow Patriarchate by Parliament.

"I'm addressing you as a guarantor of constitutional rights on behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarchate, with a strong request to take all of the measures foreseen by the law to prevent the adoption and putting into effect of a provocative bill, No. 9690," reads an open letter from Patriarch Filaret to the president published on the Web site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.