State Celebration of Kyivan Rus Baptism to be Held 24 to 27 July
21.07.2008, [17:29] // Church-state relations //

Kyiv� Iryna Vannykova, press secretary of the president of Ukraine, at a press briefing on 21 July 2008 reported that events to celebrate the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus will start on 24 July with the president meeting members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations and continue to 27 July.

On 25 July Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will be ceremonially met at Boryspil Airport in Kyiv. At 18.00 the patriarch will celebrate vespers at St. Sophia�s Cathedral and bless the bells and royal doors.

According to Vannykova, on 26 July it is planned that the president and the patriarch on Sophia�s Square will speak and attend a performance of literary and musical compositions of spiritual and ecclesiastical works.

�It is also planned that after the completion of the ceremonies, the president of Ukraine and the ecumenical patriarch will go to Michael�s Square, where they will place flowers at the Monument to the Victims of the Holodomor [forced famine] of 1932-3. After placing flowers, Bartholomew I will celebrate a panakhyda [memorial service] for the victims of the great famine,� said Vannykova.

She also reported that on 27 July on Volodymyr�s Hill a festive Liturgy will be celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew I near the Monument to St. Volodymyr. �The higher leaders of the country, leaders of foreign delegations and the national Orthodox churches will take part in the Liturgy,� said Vannykova.

Source:


� http://www.president.gov.ua/news/10707.html

Slava Isusu Khrestu

Very interesting indeed!

I wonder how Moscow will view it and will the Moscow Patriarch offer prayers for the millions of the Victims of the Holodomor [forced famine] of 1932-3. Should I hold my breath?

We can only wait.

Z Bohom
Nycholaij

C. I. X.

10,000,000 victims and not even a candle?

http://www.pontificalorientalinstitute.com/news/catholic-world/bartholomew-i-in-kiev.html

Bartholomew I in Kiev
Written by Administrator
Monday, 21 July 2008

From July 25-27, ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew I will visit Kiev to preside over the celebrations for the 1020 years of the Christianization of Ukraine.

The visit should help to unite the Orthodox world, often divided by nationalism. At the solemn liturgy in the cathedral of Kiev, and in the presence of various metropolitans from all over the world, the hierarchical order of the Eastern Church will be displayed, which recognizes the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople as first in the hierarchy, followed by Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow.

In recent days, there have been controversies and reactions from the Russian side over the role of Bartholomew as leader of the ceremonies. In the end, however, Moscow decided to be present in the liturgy with Alexy II himself. This acceptance on the part of Moscow is judged by many as a "victory" for Bartholomew I. For some time, Moscow ("the third Rome") has been contending with Constantinople ("the second Rome") for the position of leadership in the Orthodox world.

In recent days, some Ukrainian journalists have gone to visit Bartholomew, and this has allowed the patriarch to make some clarifications for those who understand Orthodoxy as "a battleground for primacy".

Bartholomew I first of all thanked Ukrainian President Yushenko for inviting him and the patriarch of Moscow, Alexy II, as well as all of the Orthodox Churches of the world. He then recalled the efforts of the patriarch of Constantinople to resolve in a collegial manner the problems afflicting the Orthodox world: the rebirth of the Albanian Church; the (contested) patriarchate of Jerusalem; the sufferings of the Church of Cyprus, etc. Bartholomew I emphasized that this effort (and primacy) is at the service of the sister Churches, and must not be understood as the primacy of the pope of Rome. "The ecumenical patriarcate", Bartholomew I said, "is sometimes accused of becoming a second pope, a pope of the Eastern Church. By its nature, the ecumenical patriarchate is not the pope of the East. In spite of this, everyone makes use of its services, because [Constantinople] is the mother Church of the Orthodox Christian world, its point of reference and coordination".

Bartholomew I recalled the evangelization of the Slavs, by Cyril and Methodius, which took place in respect of national identity, avoiding Hellenization; the autonomy granted to the churches of the Balkans, of Ukraine and Russia. "In its activities", the patriarch continued, "Constantinople's sole aim is the ecclesial and spiritual interest of human development, and not those of politics".

Bartholomew also thanked the Turkish authorities, who, for the first time, asked to be involved in the program of celebrations for the Christianization of Ukraine: the Turkish ambassador to Kiev will even hold a reception in honor of the delegation from the ecumenical patriarchate.

There are still some shadows hanging over the visit: Chrysostomos II, the Orthodox archbishop of Cyprus, had expressed his desire to go to Kiev, but after meeting with patriarch Alexy, he said that he will not be at the celebrations, "because the Church of Moscow does not want this". Chrysostomos even said that "Alexy told me that he is not happy with what is happening in Kiev". The statements of the archbishop of Cyprus were made in the context of visits to the island from various Russian political personalities, who promised their support for the solution of the Cypriot question.

So far, the ecumenical patriarchate has not commented on the stance of the Cypriot Church.

But in the intellectual Orthodox world, there are murmurs that "once again in the Orthodox world, national interests are prevailing over that of the universal message of Christ". A well-known Orthodox theologian, who wanted to remain anonymous, tells AsiaNews that "unfortunately, in the Orthodox world there are pockets where the globalizing spirit of the gas pipelines outweighs the universal spirit of Christ". "In this way", he concludes, "there is further confirmation of the importance of the role of Constantinople, which, rich in suffering and experience, has always refused to put national political interests before the message of Christ".

News by Asia News

Has the Ecumenical Patriarchate confirmed this news?

PRESS RELEASE

During its regular session, held on June 23-25, 2008, The Holy and Sacred Synod reviewed the invitations of His Beatitude Alexy, Patriarch of Moscow, requesting a Patriarchal Delegation to attend the festivities of the 1020th anniversary of the Christianization of the Kievan Rus and of His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to personally lead the aforementioned festivities.

Having evaluated the invitations of the Church, Nation and the Ukrainian people, and in honoring their feelings, the Mother Church – as the one who originally guided the Ukrainian people into baptism – decided to respond to the aforementioned invitations through the sending of a Patriarchal Delegation under the personal leadership of His All Holiness.

At the Patriarchate, 2 July 2008
From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy Synod
http://www.ec-patr.org/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=951&tla=en

Looking at the picture you posted, the representative of the Roman Catholic Church appears to be not a Cardinal as he is not wearing "reds" at all.

http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;23571/

“Schism in World Orthodoxy Being Prepared in Kyiv,” Says UOC-MP Rep
22.07.2008, [17:09] // UOC-MP //

Moscow-Kyiv— Ukraine is again on the edge of a serious interchurch conflict, like that which happened in the 1990s, with seizing of churches and physical conflicts of Orthodox groups. But this time not between the Kyivan and Moscow patriarchates but between the Moscow and Constantinople patriarchates. So said Archimandrite Kyryl (Hovorun), head of the Department of External Church Contacts of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) on 21 July 2008.

According to Fr. Kyryl, literally in the last few days discussions have become active between Kyiv and Constantinople with the direct participation of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. The content is this: already during Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople’s trip to Kyiv for the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine on 26 July there is an agreement that the patriarch will announce the joining to his church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). In such an event, both these structures will lose any self-government; Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko), head of the UOC-KP, will cease to be patriarch but will become a metropolitan, and, in addition, only the patriarch of Constantinople will have the right to appoint metropolitans and bishops. However, canonical status will be gained. To the present, neither the UOC-KP nor the UAOC are recognized by other national Orthodox churches. Under such conditions, a significant number of parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the western part of the country can transfer under the jurisdiction of Constantinople, for this will already be a canonical church.

According to Fr. Kyryl, this will lead to very sharp conflicts in the religious environment and in Ukrainian politics, new seizures of churches, and, most importantly, to a schism in all world Orthodoxy. For then a global conflict will start between the Moscow and Constantinople patriarchates. Part of the Orthodox churches will stand on the side of Moscow, part with Constantinople.

According to Fr. Kyryl, all this can make doubtful the trip of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexis II to Ukraine for the celebration. Patriarch Alexis II named two conditions for his participation in the event: (1) Patriarch Bartholomew refusing to make a statement about the status of the UOC-KP and (2) no participation of Ukrainian “schismatics” in religious services with the patriarch of Constantinople.

Fr. Kyryl does not exclude the possibility that the transfer of the UOC-KP “under Constantinople” can happen, if not during the celebration of the Baptism of Rus, then later. Discussions about this are going on very actively, he said, though not without difficulties. According to Fr. Kyryl, Yushchenko and Patriarch Filaret would like the UOC-KP to receive autocephaly (self-government) from Constantinople very soon. But he said that Patriarch Bartholomew I has other plans. “Now his church has 3 million members, spread over the whole world. Receiving Ukraine, he significantly will increase his flock. Yushchenko expects that he will not refuse at the last minute,” said Fr. Kyryl.

However, the UOC-KP and Patriarchate of Constantinople categorically deny that during the celebration Patriarch Bartholomew will make similar statements.

The UOC-KP confirms that it is considering transferring under the jurisdiction of Constantinople as one possible future variant and that dialogue is going on with Patriarch Bartholomew; however no one will announce this on 26 July (even more so because Patriarch Bartholomew does not want to start a dispute with Patriarch Alexis).

UOC-KP Bishop Yevstratii (Zoria) told the newspaper “Sehodnia” (Today): “This question was considered at a meeting between the delegation of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and us in Kyiv that happened in May of this year. It was organized through the mediation of Viktor Yushchenko. But no decision has yet been made, and during the trip of Bartholomew he will not talk about the UOC-KP joining his patriarchate.” Sources:

[quote[u]]The UOC-KP confirms that it is considering transferring under the jurisdiction of Constantinople as one possible future variant and that dialogue is going on with Patriarch Bartholomew; [/u

The best news of all - emphasis mine.

As an RC in the Phillipines you certainly seem to have quite a fascination with the UOC-KP situation. Hmmm.

It would not be fair if the UOC-KP seeks recognition by Constantinople if this does not involve other Churches in Ukraine . . .

25.07.2008 10:38
Press office of President Victor Yushchenko
President welcomes Patriarch Bartholomew I in Ukraine

President Victor Yushchenko welcomed in Ukraine Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The welcoming ceremony took place today at Boryspil airport.

In his greeting word President Yushchenko thanked Patriarch Bartholomew I for his efforts in promoting spiritual values around the world.

He also stressed that Ukrainians consider the visit an exhibit of deep Christian love to the whole Ukrainian nation.

Patriarch Bartholomew I from his part thanked President Yushchenko for the invitation to take part in celebration of 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Rus’.

“We arrived here to pray for unification of all the Christians of Ukraine. We arrived here as angels of peacewho desire unity”, - he said.

Together with President, President’s Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha, NSDC Secretary Raisa Bohatyryova, former President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Vice Prime Minister Ivan Vasyunyk, Minister for Culture Vasyl Vovkun, Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, His Beatitude Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, other officials.

http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/10735.html

25.07.2008 11:50
Press office of President Victor Yushchenko
President prays in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

President Victor Yushchenko took part in a festive service on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus’.

The service took part in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and was conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Volodymyr.

After the service Metropolitan Volodymyr and Patriarch Bartholomew I said greeting words and exchanged presents.

Together with President, members of the government and delegates from foreign Orthodox Churches, who arrived to Ukraine to take part in the celebration also took part in the event.
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/10738.html

President takes part in festive liturgy at St. Sophia Cathedral

Together with his wife Kateryna Yushchenko, President Victor Yushchenko went to Saint Sophia Cathedral to take part in a festive evening liturgy, celebrating 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization. The liturgy was conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Before the liturgy Patriarch Bartholomew I blessed over the new bells and the restored Holy Gates for the Cathedral. The idea of Holy Gates and bells restoration at St. Sophia Cathedral belonged to President Yushchenko.

After the service President Yushchenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I left their notes in the Book of Honorable Guests of Kyivan Sophia national preserve.
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/10744.html

25.07.2008 20:16
Press office of President Victor Yushchenko
President hosts dinner for the Ecumenical Patriarch
President Victor Yushchenko hosted a dinner in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
In his toast President said that celebration of 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ is very important for strengthening ties between Christians Ukraine and the world.

“I am assure that this year’s celebration is important for … strengthening unity of world’s orthodox community”, - he said.

From his part Patriarch Bartholomew I pointed to the fact that many saints and martyrs, important figures of Christianity descended from the Ukrainian nation. “That is why this celebration is really grand. I praise and greet those people who have been working on its realization”, - said Patriarch Bartholomew I.
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/10752.html

26.07.2008 12:50
Press office of President Victor Yushchenko
President calls to unity among churches in Ukraine

President Victor Yushchenko and Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko took part in a festive gathering on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization on Sophyivska Square in front of Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral.

In his address President greeted all Ukrainians with this holiday. “It is a festival of Christianity, a festival of the European civilization. It is a festival of world’s Christian community and a festival of Orthodox Christianity. It is a festival of our nation with thousands of years of history”, - President said.

In his speech Victor Yushchenko also expressed hope for unification of Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. “I believe that with wisdom and perseverance we will walk through the path towards a dream. I believe that any partition of Ukrainian faithful is not for long. I believe that national Ukrainian Church will appear in Ukraine as a gift from God, as a historical truth and fairness”, - he said.

Addressing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I President Yushchenko asked for his blessing for Ukraine and its nation.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, from his part, praised the idea of the Ukrainian authorities to celebrate 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus' Baptism.

“We wholeheartedly accepted the honoring invitation of His Excellency, the President of Ukraine Mr. Viktor Yushchenko to participate in the festive ceremonies for the 1020th anniversary of the baptism of the Ukrainian nation to Christianity by the Mother Church because, on the one hand, the contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the Christianization of the European peoples is celebrated by that multifaceted event, and, on the other hand, because by that event the new, European prospects of the Ukrainian nation are emphasized at a time of great and rapid changes worldwide. The Mother Church rejoices together with the pious Ukrainian people because that baptism remains an inexhaustible source of strength not only supporting its internal spiritual coherence, but also utilizing it fully in the important field of international relationships”, - he said.

He also encouraged everybody to renew the role of Christianity as a factor for unification in the name of the holiday.

“It is a common duty of the civic, political, ecclesiastical and in general intellectual leadership of the Ukrainian people to utilize by every appropriate means the God-given gift of the Baptism not only for the immediate cure of various confusions and traumatic events of the historic past, but also for the restoration of the cohesive role that the Orthodox Church played in the consciousness of the Christ-loving Ukrainian nation. If this confusion is prolonged in order to serve ethnophyletic or political ends and purposes foreign to the Church's spiritual character would abolish the cohesive power of the Baptism and would worsen the already dangerous division of the ecclesial body, a division that wounds not only spiritual unity but also the communal coherence of the Ukrainian people with obvious troublesome consequences for the future of Ukraine”, - said Patriarch Bartholomew I.
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/10756.html