ROC Metropolitan arrives in the Vatican to talk about schism in Ukraine

On October 17-18, Chair of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) is on a visit to the Vatican. Patriarch Kirill’s representative said that he “cannot refrain from talking about schism in Ukraine”. This is reported by Credo.pro citing the KAI.

The Italian Askanews agency says the Vatican closely monitors the crisis between Constantinople and Moscow. Metropolitan is likely to take part in the Synod of Bishops, which is ongoing in the Vatican.

A representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Metropolitan Nikitas of the United States participates in the Pontifical Synod as a brother delegate.

Metropolitan Hilarion will also speak on October 18 in the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles at a concert of sacred music. By education, he is a composer and conductor and has already participated in musical events organized by the Vatican.

It should be noted that the official Vatican media do not report anything about the visit of the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In addition, the Vatican is not going to interfere or somehow comment on the process of granting the Tomos to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and respond to the breakup of Eucharistic communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate by the Russian Orthodox Church, announced on October 15.

Dominican priest Peter Balog posted an interesting commentary on the visit of Metropolitan Hilarion to the Vatican in his blog on RISU:

“It has always been in history, since the first millennium, that the East usually ignored Rome, until it became tough in the East. Then bishops and patriarchs sent letters to Rome, complaining of their opponents, or petitions for support. It refers to St Athanasius the Great, and St Basil the Great, and St John Chrysostom, St Cyril of Alexandria and many others.

Some Catholic scholars, as well as Rome itself, once saw in these facts of “communion of the East with Rome” the signs of the Pope’s primacy and the leading role of Rome in the Universal Church. However, when in the East everything calmed down, the East ignored Rome over and over again, “we will settle it on our own without your advice.”

This is the case now: everyone in the east is opposed to us: Where to go? Whom to complain to? Well, to Rome, of course. According to the tradition.

However, Rome is already aware that it will be later ignored again because “history is a teacher of life.” Nevertheless, it will receive all parties – let them complain and speak out. Where shall they go in these difficult times?”