You are here : Home News Russian Orthodox official urges Vatican action on Ukrainian church dispute

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Russian Orthodox official urges Vatican action on Ukrainian church dispute

CWNews.com - The Russian Orthodox Church’s chief ecumenical officer has told the Reuters news agency that the principal obstacle to a meeting between Pope Benedict and Patriarch Kirill is the dispute over parishes in the Ukraine.

Following World War II, the Stalin regime violently suppressed the Eastern-rite Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, confiscated its parishes, and turned them over to the Russian Orthodox Church. Approximately 500 of these parishes reverted to Ukrainian Catholic use following the collapse of Communism.

While Pope Benedict has shown “more sensitivity to the Orthodox tradition than his predecessor,” Archbishop Hilarion said that “not very much was done or is being done in order to solve this problem” in the Ukraine.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

The Spirit of Truth

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of Blesings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Hymn from the Vespers of Pentecost

Wisdom from the Church Fathers

But if a person is constantly mindful of God, he will rejoice: as the psalmist says, "I remembered God, and I rejoiced" (Psalms 77:3). For when the intellect is gladdened by the remembrance of God, then it forgets the afflictions of this world, places its hope in Him, and is no longer troubled or anxious.

St. Peter of Damaskos, "JOY" (from "The 24 Discourses), "The Philokalia vol. III," - pp. 260 - 263.
ByzCath.org is an unofficial site supporting, but not connected with the official Church. We strive to provide accurate news and information about the Byzantine Catholic and other Eastern Christian Churches. If you believe we have failed in this task please let us know. Contents copyright ©1996-2011. All rights reserved.

Joomla Template by NinjaTheme