A prominent religious leader in Ukraine who made headlines earlier this year for publicly claiming the coronavirus pandemic was “God’s punishment” for same-sex marriage remained hospitalized Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.

Patriarch Filaret, 91, who leads the large Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate, received a positive test result for COVID-19 during his “scheduled testing” and began hospital treatment, the church announced Friday on its website and Facebook page. In an update Tuesday, the church said Filaret remained hospitalized in “stable” condition and continues treatment.

“His Holiness Patriarch Filaret is especially grateful to everyone who shows his love and support in prayers for his health," the church said. "Today the state of health of Patriarch Filaret is stable, treatment continues.”