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Echo of Moscow Chief Editor: Ukrainian autocephaly is key issue at upcoming Synod of ROC

10.07.2018, 14:15
Echo of Moscow Chief Editor: Ukrainian autocephaly is key issue at upcoming Synod of ROC - фото 1
The session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church scheduled for July 14, 2018 may discuss the issue of autocephaly of the UOC. Such a conclusion was made by the Russian online publication Znak, based on a Telegram post by Alexei Venediktov, Chief Editor of the Echo of Moscow.

The session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church scheduled for July 14, 2018 may discuss the issue of autocephaly of the UOC. Such a conclusion was made by the Russian online publication Znak, based on a Telegram post by Alexei Venediktov, Chief Editor of the Echo of Moscow.

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As follows from the message, in this case, the Russian Orthodox Church can only discuss the consequences of the issuance of the Tomos by Constantinople to Ukraine. The Moscow Patriarchate cannot make its own decision to play in and initiate the liberalization of the relations of its Ukrainian branch (UOC-MP) and unrecognized Orthodox Churches in Ukraine.

As it follows from the message, in this case, the Russian Orthodox Church can only discuss the consequences of the issuance of the Tomos by Constantinople to Ukraine. The Moscow Patriarchate cannot make its own decision to play in and initiate the liberalization of the relations of its Ukrainian branch (UOC-MP) and unrecognized Orthodox Churches in Ukraine.

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As reported, on July 9, a scheduled meeting between the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church took place in Moscow. The meeting was too short, the sides left without issuing a joint communiqué and coordinated statements.

Deputy Chair of DECR MP Fr Nikolai Balashov very briefly commented on the outcome of the meeting, “The parties recognized the meeting that took place as beneficial and the members of the delegation of the Church of Constantinople promised to convey to Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod of Constantinople the positions of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed there.” We can assume that the opponents have abandoned any discussions and simply exchanged ultimatums. Alexei Venediktov has noted the overanxious state of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that on the eve of the meeting, the Chairman of the Information Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Archbishop Klyment (Vecherya) of Irpin, in the comments to the Russian TASS agency, expressed hope that “the Church of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church will not support autocephaly in Ukraine.”

“We believe that today -- in the light of those contacts to be made in Moscow -- and in the light of what already took place in Constantinople during the meeting of representatives of the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with Patriarch Bartholomew, all points of contact will be found to avoid creating complications but to solve the problems which today the Church faces most often.”

At the same time, the hierarch qualified the anti-autocephalous position of the UOC-MP as “consolidated”, which is  not true since the voices of the priesthood and the flock of this Church regarding the autocephaly are being carefully silenced and not taken into account.