ROC Synod proposes to hold pan-Orthodox discussion on situation in Ukraine

Ivan the Great Belltower in Moscow

The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church proposed to hold a pan-Orthodox discussion on the situation in Ukraine, reports RIA Novosti with reference to the text of the statement adopted on September 14 at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow.

"Recognizing that what is happening poses a threat to the entire world Orthodoxy, we reach out for support to the Local Autocephalous Churches in the time of distress, we call upon the primates of the Churches to understand the common responsibility for the fate of world Orthodoxy and initiate a fraternal all-Orthodox discussion of the church situation in Ukraine," the publication quotes a fragment of the document.

As the chairman of the DECR, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, told the media, the ROC "is deeply convinced that if this issue is not resolved unilaterally by the Patriarchate of Constantinople but in a fraternal dialogue, a solution will be found that will calm all, reconcile all and help to overcome the schism."

As a follow-up to an extraordinary session, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church resolved that His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will cease commemorating His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during the Divine Liturgy.

On September 7, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople appointed Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (the U.S) and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton (Canada) as its exarchs in Kiev "within the framework of the preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine". 
 

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