Met. John of Dubna: it’s yet impossible to concelebrate with Phanar clerics
Metropolitan John (Renetto) of Dubna. Photo: seminaria.fr
Metropolitan John (Renneto), Head of the Archdiocese of the Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe, reminded the clergy of the break in the Eucharistic communication between the Phanar and the Russian Orthodox Church, which the former Exarchate of the Constantinople Patriarchate joined in 2019, reports orthodoxie.com.
In his message to the celebrants, the hierarch emphasized that the agreement with the Russian Orthodox Church ensured the survival, continuity and canonical existence of the Archdiocese.
"We can only express our deep gratitude to the Patriarchate of Moscow for this approach. You too, dear fathers, are warmly thanked for your loyalty and your support for your Archbishop and our diocese. It is now up to all of us to secure the future," the Metropolitan of Dubna wrote.
He noted that all current issues would be considered more particularly at the next pastoral assembly, but "as we enter into the Great Lent and journey towards Orthodoxy Sunday”, he has to recall the painful issue of Eucharistic communication and concelebrations.
The Metropolitan confirmed what was said at the General Assembly on January 25: there is no obstacle to Eucharistic communion in canonical parishes for the laity; however, for the clergy (priests and deacons) it is not yet possible for them to concelebrate the divine liturgy if it is presided over by a clerk belonging to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
" This obstacle only concerns the sacrament of the Eucharist; there is no difficulty for the other celebrations," he added, calling on the flock and believers to pray ardently " that the Lord will grant His Church to quickly overcome all the causes of the tribulation which deeply troubles our local Orthodoxy and more generally the pleroma of Orthodoxy in the world”.
As reported earlier, on March 1, 2020, Metropolitan John of (Renneto) Dubna reordained a clergyman of the OCU.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.