Showing posts with label Ukraine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ukraine. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Monday, July 18, 2022
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Panorthodox Synod : STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE UOC OF THE USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate) - PRAY FOR UKRAINE!!
Panorthodox Synod : STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE UOC OF ...: uocofusa The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA has issued a statement of the Council of Bishops of the USA, calling for e...
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Monday, January 10, 2022
Friday, January 7, 2022
Friday, December 3, 2021
Friday, September 3, 2021
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Bulletin:In Dramatic Session,Church of Greece Reaches Decision on Ukraine
The Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece has recognised the autocephaly,or independence,of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.After discussing the matter on Saturday morning,in light of the fact that His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece formally recommended the course of recognition,and that several study groups of the Standing Synod also found it to be a canonical act,the assembled bishops approved of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's granting of independence to the new Church.*
Several bishops complained about Russian pressure on them to reject the autocephaly.In the end,however,they stood by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and became the first of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so,thus paving the way for others to follow suit.*
The recognition will be spiritually enacted in the form of a Divine Liturgy in Thessaloniki,Greece on 19 October 2019,concelebrated by Archbishop Ieronymos and His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine.*
In a telephone call,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Ieronymos for his support.*
The Church of Greece also recognised the independence of the nation of Ukraine in the extraordinary session of the Synod of the Hierarchy.
Several bishops complained about Russian pressure on them to reject the autocephaly.In the end,however,they stood by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and became the first of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches to do so,thus paving the way for others to follow suit.*
The recognition will be spiritually enacted in the form of a Divine Liturgy in Thessaloniki,Greece on 19 October 2019,concelebrated by Archbishop Ieronymos and His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kiyiv and All Ukraine.*
In a telephone call,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Ieronymos for his support.*
The Church of Greece also recognised the independence of the nation of Ukraine in the extraordinary session of the Synod of the Hierarchy.
Monday, April 1, 2019
How NATO Sees Ukraine
NATO is holding a Foreign Ministerial in Washington,DC from 3-4 April 2019.Ahead of the critical meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been sharing the Alliance's perspective:
When it comes to Ukraine and NATO membership, we recognise the ambitions, the aspiration of Ukraine to become a NATO member.We work with Ukraine to help Ukraine move forward towards its transatlantic integration.And that's why we have all the different frameworks,programs to provide help and support, to help Ukraine focus on the most important thing, and that is reform: to modernise to meet the NATO standards,we help Ukraine;we modernise their defence and security institutions; we have trust funds; we have training; we have different kinds of activities where we are helping Ukraine.
We strongly believe that this has to be the main focus: reform and continue to modernise and to strengthen the defence and security institutions, including fighting corruption.So this will be our focus.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress he hopes to see NATO take more action against Russian aggression in Ukraine:
I am hopeful... I will be able to announce another series of actions that we will jointly take together.*
When it comes to Ukraine and NATO membership, we recognise the ambitions, the aspiration of Ukraine to become a NATO member.We work with Ukraine to help Ukraine move forward towards its transatlantic integration.And that's why we have all the different frameworks,programs to provide help and support, to help Ukraine focus on the most important thing, and that is reform: to modernise to meet the NATO standards,we help Ukraine;we modernise their defence and security institutions; we have trust funds; we have training; we have different kinds of activities where we are helping Ukraine.
We strongly believe that this has to be the main focus: reform and continue to modernise and to strengthen the defence and security institutions, including fighting corruption.So this will be our focus.*
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress he hopes to see NATO take more action against Russian aggression in Ukraine:
I am hopeful... I will be able to announce another series of actions that we will jointly take together.*
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Ukraine:Metropolitan Alexander Leaves Moscow Patriarchate for New Church
On 19 December 2018,old calendar St.Nicholas Day,His Eminence Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky announced he was leaving the Moscow Patriarchate for the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine.The faithful in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral applauded his statement:
Today,for the first time during the liturgy,I commemorated the Ecumenical Patriarch and His Beatitude the Metropolitan of Kiyiv Epifaniy,but unfortunately some of the parishoners and clerics did not accept my admission to the OCU,and therefore left the temple;but I hope they will return.*
Metropolitan Alexander was one of the two Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitans who attended the Unifying Council in Kyiv on 15 December.The other was Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnytsia.On 18 December,the cathedral parish council ruled that Metropolitan Alexander had the right to serve in the cathedral and remain its rector.
The Moscow Patriarchate convened a synod to depose and prohibit from serving Metropolitans Alexander and Simeon.
Today,for the first time during the liturgy,I commemorated the Ecumenical Patriarch and His Beatitude the Metropolitan of Kiyiv Epifaniy,but unfortunately some of the parishoners and clerics did not accept my admission to the OCU,and therefore left the temple;but I hope they will return.*
Metropolitan Alexander was one of the two Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitans who attended the Unifying Council in Kyiv on 15 December.The other was Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnytsia.On 18 December,the cathedral parish council ruled that Metropolitan Alexander had the right to serve in the cathedral and remain its rector.
The Moscow Patriarchate convened a synod to depose and prohibit from serving Metropolitans Alexander and Simeon.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Bulletin:Date for Ukrainian Autocephaly Set;Security Service on High Alert for Unifying Council Blowback
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,Archbishop Yevstratiy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolia has announced that the Tomos of Autocephaly is to be granted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on 6 January 2019 in Istanbul,which is Ukrainian Christmas Eve.The Tomos will be presented following a Divine Liturgy concelebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew and the newly elected Ukrainian Primate.
First will come the Unifying Council on Saturday 15 December 2018,where the charter of the new Church will be approved and its Primate elected.Patriarch Bartholomew will reportedly attend the Unifying Council at St.Sofia Cathedral in Kiev.The cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian government as a national heritage site.*
Meanwhile,the Ukrainian Security Service,the SBU,is warning of possible violent provocations orchestrated by the Kremlin this weekend in cities across Ukraine,intended to disrupt the Unifying Council or even as a pretext for repressive actions by the Putin regime.*
First will come the Unifying Council on Saturday 15 December 2018,where the charter of the new Church will be approved and its Primate elected.Patriarch Bartholomew will reportedly attend the Unifying Council at St.Sofia Cathedral in Kiev.The cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian government as a national heritage site.*
Meanwhile,the Ukrainian Security Service,the SBU,is warning of possible violent provocations orchestrated by the Kremlin this weekend in cities across Ukraine,intended to disrupt the Unifying Council or even as a pretext for repressive actions by the Putin regime.*
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Bulletin:Ukrainian Church Council Date Set as Metropolitan Emmanuel Sent to Oversee Preparations
Informed sources report a number of new developments in the process of forming the new autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church.Firstly,on 15 November 2018,His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France will arrive in Ukraine to oversee final preparations for the Uninfying Council that will organise the new Church and elect its first Primate.The new Primate will not be titled "Patriarch."Nor will Metropolitan Filaret,formerly Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kiev Patriarchate,or Metropolitan Makariy,formerly head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church,be on the ballot.At the Ecumenical Patriarchate's request,they have written letters withdrawing themselves from the process.Indeed,they will not even attend the Unifying Council,in order to prevent divisions from forming around them.
Speculation on the first Primate of the new Church centers on Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmessos and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA).Both are hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.Archbishop Daniel was born in Ukraine;while Archbishop Job was born in Montreal,Canada of Ukrainian descent.*
The Unifying Council will be tightly managed.By the time it begins,the texts of both the Charter of the new Church and the Tomos of Autocephaly will have been completed.Furthermore,while the new Church will be independent,the Ecumenical Patriarchate must approve at least the first Primate.In addition,the Government of Ukraine must convey twenty farmsteads claimed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
Analysis:If these initial reports are borne out,the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be a very disciplined body from its inception.The Ecumenical Patriarchate is being firm and cautious in its approach,as indeed it has been from the beginning of the autocephaly process.It fosters humility as the surest pathway to success.
Speculation on the first Primate of the new Church centers on Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmessos and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA).Both are hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.Archbishop Daniel was born in Ukraine;while Archbishop Job was born in Montreal,Canada of Ukrainian descent.*
The Unifying Council will be tightly managed.By the time it begins,the texts of both the Charter of the new Church and the Tomos of Autocephaly will have been completed.Furthermore,while the new Church will be independent,the Ecumenical Patriarchate must approve at least the first Primate.In addition,the Government of Ukraine must convey twenty farmsteads claimed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
Analysis:If these initial reports are borne out,the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be a very disciplined body from its inception.The Ecumenical Patriarchate is being firm and cautious in its approach,as indeed it has been from the beginning of the autocephaly process.It fosters humility as the surest pathway to success.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Bulletin:Ukraine Announcement Imminent - surprises are still possible,if unlikely
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople convened in Istanbul on 9 October 2018 and has reached its decision on autocephaly,or independence,for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.It will be announced in a press release tomorrow,11 October.*
For several weeks,it has been made clear by hierarchs of the Patriarchate that autocephaly has been the preferred option of His All-Holiness Paatriarch Bartholomew.Last Sunday,His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey,who is a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople,published an encyclical letter to his flock informing them that autocephaly was about to be conferred to Ukraine.This intention had been frankly shared with key Orthodox Church leaders in a series of high level meetings.There were also meetings with Ukrainian government officials,particularly President Petro Poroshenko,who is up for re-election.
Analysis:Public opinion polls show the majority of Ukrainians favour autocephaly;but the revanchist Putin regime in Russia and the closely allied Patriarchate of Moscow have sternly rejected the proposal,which would significantly weaken their power and prestige.*
There is little doubt what the announcement will be;but you can never be entirely sure until it is actually made.There could be a nuanced approach that would dissatisfy many Ukrainians,such as granting autonomy now and autocephaly at some point in the future.
For several weeks,it has been made clear by hierarchs of the Patriarchate that autocephaly has been the preferred option of His All-Holiness Paatriarch Bartholomew.Last Sunday,His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey,who is a member of the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople,published an encyclical letter to his flock informing them that autocephaly was about to be conferred to Ukraine.This intention had been frankly shared with key Orthodox Church leaders in a series of high level meetings.There were also meetings with Ukrainian government officials,particularly President Petro Poroshenko,who is up for re-election.
Analysis:Public opinion polls show the majority of Ukrainians favour autocephaly;but the revanchist Putin regime in Russia and the closely allied Patriarchate of Moscow have sternly rejected the proposal,which would significantly weaken their power and prestige.*
There is little doubt what the announcement will be;but you can never be entirely sure until it is actually made.There could be a nuanced approach that would dissatisfy many Ukrainians,such as granting autonomy now and autocephaly at some point in the future.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Bulletin:Ecumenical Patriarch Tells Patriarch Kirill Autocephaly for Ukraine Is Our Decision to Make
According to a number of sources,on 31 August 2018,His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with Ecumencial Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for two and a half hours in a brotherly spirit at the Phanar,the Patriarchal enclave in Istanbul.Accompanied only by a translator and His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion of Volokolamsk,Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations,he spoke privately with Patriarch Bartholomew and His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France.
In the course of the meeting,Patriarch Kirill suggested holding a scientific conference to reveal the sources of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's decision to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.He also suggested a dialogue on the topic.
Patriarch Bartholomew stood firm:
Thank you,but the decision on autocephaly was the Ecumenical Patriarchate's to make and they are moving forward with it.
In the event,the small delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church left immediately after the talks,foregoing a dinner invitation.They made no statement.*
Metropolitan Emmanuel of France reportedly said that the decision was made in April.The same process is underway for other cases.The Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne meets from 1-3 September,but lacks the authority to implement the decision.Only the Holy and Sacred Synod can implement it,and their next meeting is in October.*
Patriarch Kirill got to greet several of the Ecumenical Patriarchate hierarchs who had arrived for the Synaxis,including His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
In the course of the meeting,Patriarch Kirill suggested holding a scientific conference to reveal the sources of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's decision to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.He also suggested a dialogue on the topic.
Patriarch Bartholomew stood firm:
Thank you,but the decision on autocephaly was the Ecumenical Patriarchate's to make and they are moving forward with it.
In the event,the small delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church left immediately after the talks,foregoing a dinner invitation.They made no statement.*
Metropolitan Emmanuel of France reportedly said that the decision was made in April.The same process is underway for other cases.The Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne meets from 1-3 September,but lacks the authority to implement the decision.Only the Holy and Sacred Synod can implement it,and their next meeting is in October.*
Patriarch Kirill got to greet several of the Ecumenical Patriarchate hierarchs who had arrived for the Synaxis,including His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Ukraine:Ecumencial Patriarchate Delegation Meets with President Poroshenko,Delivers Letter
A delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople met with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine in Kiev on 27 July 2018.The delegation was attending the 1030th anniversary celebrations of the baptism of Kievan Rus,ancient predecessor of the modern Ukrainian state,in 988.Representing the First Holy See of the Orthodox Church were His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France;His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon and the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate);and His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (Ecumenical Patriarchate).
At the meeting,Bishop Ilarion read a letter from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to President Poroshenko,in which the Patriarch stated:
Recognising the high responsibility of the First Holy See Church of Constantinople,which never ceased,and did not reconcile to illegal and non-canonical situations that shocked the natural functioning of the Orthodox Church - during these crucial times,it took the initiative to restore the unity of the Orthodox believers of Ukraine,with the ultimate goal of granting autocephaly (independence) to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.*
By way of context,His All-Holiness recalled:
The newly baptised nation came under the spiritual guidance,unrestrained care and church cover of the Church of Constantinople through the creation of the Metropolis of Kiyiv and All Rus,which became the 60th Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
For his part,President Poroshenko noted that:
This is an historical moment for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church,to return to the fold of the Mother Church.*
Additionally,Metropolitan Emmanuel made a strong statement of support for autocephaly:
We are proud to be here today to celebrate this anniversary,which is at a very important moment,since the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has paved the way for a new era.The Mother Church already passed the ruling on April 20 of this year - namely,to begin the procedure for achieving the ultimate goal:to provide autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.*
The Ecumenical Patriarchate cannot remain blind and deaf to the appeals that have been repeated for more than a quarter of a century.Sons of the Ukrainian Church and its leaders have the right to their place among the Churches.*
We are sure that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is on your side.You will not be orphaned,because the Mother Church will find a way to become involved in your progress,your success,your growth in the faith of Christ.*
Analysis:It could not be plainer that autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is desired by the Ecumenical Patriarchate,yet the timing remains a complete mystery.Many observers thought this anniversary would be the occasion for the issuance of a tomos of autocephaly.
At the meeting,Bishop Ilarion read a letter from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to President Poroshenko,in which the Patriarch stated:
Recognising the high responsibility of the First Holy See Church of Constantinople,which never ceased,and did not reconcile to illegal and non-canonical situations that shocked the natural functioning of the Orthodox Church - during these crucial times,it took the initiative to restore the unity of the Orthodox believers of Ukraine,with the ultimate goal of granting autocephaly (independence) to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.*
By way of context,His All-Holiness recalled:
The newly baptised nation came under the spiritual guidance,unrestrained care and church cover of the Church of Constantinople through the creation of the Metropolis of Kiyiv and All Rus,which became the 60th Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.*
For his part,President Poroshenko noted that:
This is an historical moment for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church,to return to the fold of the Mother Church.*
Additionally,Metropolitan Emmanuel made a strong statement of support for autocephaly:
We are proud to be here today to celebrate this anniversary,which is at a very important moment,since the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has paved the way for a new era.The Mother Church already passed the ruling on April 20 of this year - namely,to begin the procedure for achieving the ultimate goal:to provide autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.*
The Ecumenical Patriarchate cannot remain blind and deaf to the appeals that have been repeated for more than a quarter of a century.Sons of the Ukrainian Church and its leaders have the right to their place among the Churches.*
We are sure that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is on your side.You will not be orphaned,because the Mother Church will find a way to become involved in your progress,your success,your growth in the faith of Christ.*
Analysis:It could not be plainer that autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is desired by the Ecumenical Patriarchate,yet the timing remains a complete mystery.Many observers thought this anniversary would be the occasion for the issuance of a tomos of autocephaly.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Speaks Again on the Ukrainian Issue
According to a news release by the Ecumencial Patriarchate,on 1 July 2018,following the 40-day memorial for His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of Perge,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople,addressed the faithful on the topic of Ukraine:
Even today,if he (Metropolitan Evanagelos) were amongst us,he would have consented to the current and timely matter of settling the Ukrainian ecclesiastical problem for,as the Mother Church,it is reasonable to desire the restoration of unity for the divided ecclesiastical body in Ukraine,a faithful population of tens of millions,baptised and enlightened directly through the providence and missionary activity of our Ecumenical Throne.Besides,as in the past,the Church of Constantinople - while exercising its canonical rights and pastoral care - worked to successfully resolve difficult and complicated ecclesiastical problems,always guided by what is beneficial to the people of God and the preservation of Pan-Orthodox unity.
We should simply remember the Ecumenical Patriarchate's recent participation and support in the problems that afflicted the Churches of Jerusalem,Cyprus,Albania,and so on.In this spirit,the Great Church of Christ of Constantinople,speaking the truth in love,strives even today for the definitive resolution of the ecclesiastical issues in Ukraine.*
Let us not forget that Constantinople never ceded the territory of Ukraine to anyone by means of some ecclesiastical Act,but only granted to the Patriarch of Moscow the right of ordination or transfer of the Metropolitan of Kiev on the condition that the Metropolitan of Kiev should be elected by a Clergy-Laity Congress and commemorate the Ecumenical Patriarch.Listen to what is mentioned in this regard by the Tomos of autocephaly,which was granted by the Mother Church to the Church of Poland:"For it is written that the original separation from our Throne of the Metropolitan of Kiev and of the two Orthodox Churches of Lithuania and Poland which depend on it,and their annexation to the Holy Church of Moscow,in no way occurred according to the binding canonical regulations,nor was the agreement respected concerning the full ecclesial independence of the Metropolitan of Kiev,who bears the title of Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne."
In an interview with the Russian online publication Pravmir.ru,His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of Bursa,Turkey (Ecumenical Patriarchate),recalled that:
the granting of autocephaly to the Local Churches for almost 1350 years has been subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and competence of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople.
The criterion and purpose for the Mother Church in this case is not autocephaly in itself,since it is not an end in itself.However,it is given preference from the ecclesiastical point of view as the best and most canonical solution at the moment,because only this can serve the unity of the Orthodox people of Ukraine,which,as you know,is completely disunited.*
Analysis:From everthing that's been said,it indeed seems that we are headed to the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,and perhaps also to the Macedonian Orthodox Church,in the near future.
Even today,if he (Metropolitan Evanagelos) were amongst us,he would have consented to the current and timely matter of settling the Ukrainian ecclesiastical problem for,as the Mother Church,it is reasonable to desire the restoration of unity for the divided ecclesiastical body in Ukraine,a faithful population of tens of millions,baptised and enlightened directly through the providence and missionary activity of our Ecumenical Throne.Besides,as in the past,the Church of Constantinople - while exercising its canonical rights and pastoral care - worked to successfully resolve difficult and complicated ecclesiastical problems,always guided by what is beneficial to the people of God and the preservation of Pan-Orthodox unity.
We should simply remember the Ecumenical Patriarchate's recent participation and support in the problems that afflicted the Churches of Jerusalem,Cyprus,Albania,and so on.In this spirit,the Great Church of Christ of Constantinople,speaking the truth in love,strives even today for the definitive resolution of the ecclesiastical issues in Ukraine.*
Let us not forget that Constantinople never ceded the territory of Ukraine to anyone by means of some ecclesiastical Act,but only granted to the Patriarch of Moscow the right of ordination or transfer of the Metropolitan of Kiev on the condition that the Metropolitan of Kiev should be elected by a Clergy-Laity Congress and commemorate the Ecumenical Patriarch.Listen to what is mentioned in this regard by the Tomos of autocephaly,which was granted by the Mother Church to the Church of Poland:"For it is written that the original separation from our Throne of the Metropolitan of Kiev and of the two Orthodox Churches of Lithuania and Poland which depend on it,and their annexation to the Holy Church of Moscow,in no way occurred according to the binding canonical regulations,nor was the agreement respected concerning the full ecclesial independence of the Metropolitan of Kiev,who bears the title of Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne."
In an interview with the Russian online publication Pravmir.ru,His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of Bursa,Turkey (Ecumenical Patriarchate),recalled that:
the granting of autocephaly to the Local Churches for almost 1350 years has been subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and competence of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople.
The criterion and purpose for the Mother Church in this case is not autocephaly in itself,since it is not an end in itself.However,it is given preference from the ecclesiastical point of view as the best and most canonical solution at the moment,because only this can serve the unity of the Orthodox people of Ukraine,which,as you know,is completely disunited.*
Analysis:From everthing that's been said,it indeed seems that we are headed to the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,and perhaps also to the Macedonian Orthodox Church,in the near future.
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