Russian patriarch visits Ukraine By Steven Eke BBC News
Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is starting a visit to neighbouring Ukraine.
He will meet the country's President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev, before travelling to the east of the country.
Like Russia, Ukraine is a predominantly Orthodox country, but the Orthodox Church itself in Ukraine is split.
Some Ukrainian Orthodox believers think Patriarch Kirill's visit is aimed primarily at boosting political Russian influence in their country.
Patriarch Kirill will start by visiting the holiest sites in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and then travel to the industrial heartlands of eastern Ukraine.
What makes this trip so controversial is Patriarch Kirill's vision.
He is a relative newcomer to the post, having been elected in February.
He has articulated a vision of Orthodoxy's future, in which the Russian Orthodox Church holds the dominant, first position among the scattered branches of Orthodoxy.
This makes the visit highly sensitive.
Divisions
It raises questions of spheres of religious and political influence, which often cross what are the region's relatively new state borders.
After 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence, the Orthodox church there split, with the Moscow patriarchate controlling the larger branch of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
Meanwhile, believers from the smaller Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate think the Russian-backed church does not support Ukrainian independence, culture or language.
Furthermore, there are political divisions inside Ukraine.
In Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, Patriarch Kirill will be seen as the head of one big family.
But in western Ukraine, nationalist groups have protested against what they say is his treatment of Ukraine as his own country.
President Yushchenko says he wants unity of the Orthodox churches.
Moscow arguably wants church unity on its terms.
The Russian Orthodox Church, after all, has a powerful role at the heart of Russia, aimed both at strengthening the state, and restoring its influence abroad.
Patriarch Cyril has managed to find time for meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Now there is a strong rumor within the Moscow Patriarchate that in the next days the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate is to meet in Ukraine.
This evening at 7:30 p.m. (Kyiv time) (12:30 p.m. EST)you will have the oportunity to watch the All-Night Vigil from the Kyiv Cave Monastery. On the website just go to the Live Broadcast and enjoy!
Archbishop Theophanes of Berlin and Germany is on the list of the Moscow Patriarchate's synod beginning tonight in Kyiv. Hmmm. His Eminence is an ethnic Ukrainian and quite enthusiastic on the subject.
http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;30396/ KYIV—On July 27, 2009, for the first time in modern history, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is holding a session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyiv, reports Interfax information agency.
"Today we will discuss important issues relating to internal life and the outside activities of our Church. Just one thought of the great importance of the Kyiv Cave Monastery for the fate of Russian Orthodox faith makes one uplifted and energized. We are meeting in a place that is holy to our Church, to our Orthodox brethren," said the patriarch as he opened the meeting.
The patriarch also pointed out the historic nature of today's meeting of the synod "in the southern capital of Russian Orthodox faith" and recalled that the previous meeting of the synod, which was held in the Alexander Nevskyi Monastery in St. Petersburg, was also historical.
The meeting of the synod was timed to fall within the Patriarch's visit to Ukraine and is a traditional summer meeting of top Russian Orthodox clergymen. According to an earlier report published by Interfax-Religion, "the hierarchs of the Russian Church, who have come from different regions to the old southern capital of Russian Orthodox faith, will discuss a wide range of various issues relating to church life."
The meeting traditionally involves seven permanent members of the synod and five temporary members.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has told worshippers in Ukraine their breakaway Church must reunite with Moscow.
After leading prayers at the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, he appealed to them to "return to the father's house".
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in the early 1990s.
Thousands marched through the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday to protest against the patriarch's visit.
Demonstrators carried placards denouncing what they see as Russian interference in their country, and in support of the Kiev Patriarchate.
Independence aspirations
The protest coincided with a service at the Pechersk Lavra marking the 1,021st anniversary of the conversion to Christianity of Kievan Rus, the ancient state that gave rise to modern-day Ukraine and Russia.
During the ceremony, Patriarch Kirill called on the Kiev Patriarchate to reunite with the Moscow Patriarchate, which considers it schismatic.
"Not all our brothers of the same faith share this holiday today," he said. "Some find themselves outside the Church's saving fence, outside its precious unity."
"The aspiration to brotherly unity has not melted among Orthodox Ukrainian people. I saw it myself today when I was looking at you all," he added.
The Kiev Patriarchate broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate in 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence.
It has sought the status of a legitimate, independent national Church, not answering to Moscow, from the ultimate spiritual authority in the Orthodox world, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. But he has provided no clear response.
Its efforts are also strongly backed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who believes a recognised independent church is a key part of strengthening Ukraine's national identity.
However, BBC Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says the Russian Orthodox Church wields considerable political weight, and plays a role in the Kremlin's policies aimed at strengthening the Russian state and its influence abroad.
This is what makes Patriarch Kirill's visit to Ukraine so divisive, our correspondent says.
Nationalist groups, many Ukrainian-speakers and the congregations of the Kiev Patriarchate see him less as a religious pastor, and more as a political activist seeking to boost the Kremlin's influence in their land, he adds.
Please note that the first BBC article noted above, "Russian patriarch visits Ukraine", was corrected by the BBC. The original text referring to the UOC-MP as the "larger branch" was deleted, and the following explanatory text was inserted:
"After 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence, the Orthodox Church there split. The Moscow Patriarchate still controls the lion share of parishes. However, the churches under the control of the Kiev Patriarchate attract larger numbers of believers.
Recent studies in Ukraine suggest the Kiev Patriarchate attracts some 14 million believers, as opposed to some nine million visiting churches under the Moscow religious authorities."
Regarding the video posted above, I hope that no one will be swayed by this story, which appears to attempt to paint the Kyiv Patriarchate as a creation of unpopular Ukrainian President Victor Yuschenko, and frame the choice as one between "unity" as championed by Patriarch Kyrill or the "politics" of President Yuschenko.
First, the UOC-KP was established in 1990, long before Victor Yuschenko entered politics, and is today supported by the majority of the Orthodox in Ukraine. Second, the only option for unity offered by Patriarch Kyrill is administrative unity under the Patriarch of Moscow, a separate matter from unity of faith and worship as enjoyed by all of world Orthdoxy.
The story does not mention that Patriarch Kyrill has refused every request from the UOC-KP for direct discussions at any level, nor does it ask why the Patriarch is unwilling to consider discussing a path towards autocephaly of the UOC-MP, which many in the UOC-MP, including a few bishops and at least one Metropolitan, have suggested as the proper and most direct solution to the greatest issue which divides the churches.
Regarding images, it also might be worthwhile to note that on the same day that the 1,500 to 2,000 faithful (including a large number of Patriarch Kyrill's entourage from Moscow) were worshiping at the Pchersk Lavra, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 faithful were participating in the Divine Liturgy and Holy Procession celebrated by Patriarch Filaret. A short video of those events can be watched by clicking on the little video camera icon found above the photo here:
Regarding the credibility of the source of the rt.tv report, I see that among the other "top stories" listed on the rt.tv website are "Russian Navy UFO records say aliens love oceans", "Crisis slashes appetites for paid sex", and "Obama only looks different".
The story does not mention that Patriarch Kyrill has refused every request from the UOC-KP for direct discussions at any level, nor does it ask why the Patriarch is unwilling to consider discussing a path towards autocephaly of the UOC-MP
Why would he want to negotiate with a Kyiv Patriarch (Whom was excommunicated) that is not recognized by any other Orthodox Church and exists as one of the unfortunate manifestations of Ukrainian ultra-nationalism and Russophobia that developed after the collapse of the USSR?
The division in Ukraine is unfortunate, but Ukraine has a canonical Orthodox church that is self-ruling - The UOC-MP.
Kiril says Ukraine does not need autonomous church July 29, 2009 Moscow Patriarch Kiril says to give autonomy to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, UOC, would be premature and would split Ukraine. Kiril was addressing the Orthodox clergy and intellectuals at the Kyiv Lavra monastery July 29. "We have to unite around a common idea. Autonomy is not a common idea today," Kiril said.
The idea of the autonomy has been overly politicized, and is not shared by all Ukraine Orthodox. All the radical demands for the autonomy are based on political arguments only, he added.
Kiril desribed as na?ve the demand for the autonomy expressed by some Ukrainians.
"The issue of the autonomy divides Ukrainians because many still are not aware of the importance of a single Russian church in Ukraine and worldwide," Kiril maintained.
That the idea of the UOC autonomy is not shared by all cannot be explained by imperial intrigues of Moscow, as the media claim. It is rooted in our history as Kyiv is the only capital of the Russian Orthodoxy, Kiril argued.
Kiril described as improper the arguments that, since the Czech and Albanians have autonomous churches, Ukraine should also have the one, saying again that Kyiv is "our Jerusalem and our Constantinople, the core of our life."
In the Moscow patriarch's opinion, the UOC (Moscow patriarchate) is an autonomous church. "The church has its Synod that runs the church without any interference from Moscow."
"When the Moscow patriarch takes care not merely of the Russian Federation [but also about other Russian Orthodox churches in other areas - Ed.], it reflects our tradition. Some may not like it, but this is our tradition," Kiril claimed.
"Any violation of traditions is rife with problems and causes a split," Kiril added. [Kiril quoting the slogans he saw in Kyiv] "Sovereign church to sovereign Ukraine!" "Why should we take orders from patriarch in Moscow?" "These slogans have been put up by those who invited to Ukraine the Constantinople patriarch. Why can't the Moscow patriarch do the same?"
He also said that if Ukraine Greek Catholic Church recognized the supremacy of the Pope, Ukraine Orthodox can do the same with regard to Moscow.
The problem is that the Patriarch Kryil says "The issue of the autonomy divides Ukrainians because many still are not aware of the importance of a single Russian church in Ukraine and worldwide,"
I am pretty sure that the majority of Ukrainians want a Ukrainian Church, not a Russian Church. Yes Ukrainians and Russians share a common history but they are two distinct peoples. Also if their is one world wide Russian Church, that includes the Ukrainians, then the Ukrainian Church in America under Constantinople should come under the Russian Patriarchate, Should it not?
"He also said that if Ukraine Greek Catholic Church recognized the supremacy of the Pope, Ukraine Orthodox can do the same with regard to Moscow."
I believe Moscow wishes to have the same Powers as Rome but I believe this is the main reason why the Orthodox not in communion with Rome are not in communion with Rome.
Just a thought. Praying for God's unity of the Churches!
Most people here know the warm feelings and love I harbor for the Russian Orthodox Church. I will go a step further and I will honestly say that I think His Holiness Patriarch Kiril is a wonderful leader, a true Episkopos, a man who reflects the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many of you also know my opposition to schismatic jurisdictions and also my negative outlook on the so called Kyiv Patrirchate.
Having said that however I must say that I am thoroughly disappointed with some of the statements made by His Holiness Patriach Kiril. The implication that Ukraine does not need an independent Autocephalous Church is in my opinion plain wrong. Instead of helping set Ukraine on the path of canonical autocephally these kind of statements only further divide the already broken Church and serve to antagonize the nationalist forces. Please notice that I do not use the word nationalist is a negative way, because I for one do not believe that nationalism in itself is always evil.
While I must confess that if I would have to stay in Ukraine for an extended period of time, I would surely attend a UOC-MP Church I am sorely disappointed and saddened by this turn of events.
Now to address the allegation that Russian Orthodox Church wants the same status as Rome I have to say that this claim is completely unfounded. If anything the Russian Orthodox Church is being pressured by the current Russian government which is arguably an ultra-nationalist Russian party to try and preserve its hold on Ukraine through the Church. I for one believe that had it not been for the policies of Kremlin Ukraine would have had an autocephalous Church a very long time ago.
Finally the argument that the Ukrainian Catholic Church is subservient to Rome is 100% valid and true.
I apologize if I offend, but the Catholic Church in Ukraine is even less Ukrainian than the UOC-MP. It is a foreign Church that was forced on Ukrainians by Poland.
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