ROC bishop: We have never disputed the primacy of honor of Phanar head

Patriarch Kirill (left) and Patriarch Bartholomew (right). Photo: bbc.com

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Budapest and Hungary, chairman of the Synodal Biblical and Theological Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church, told RIA Novosti that the Russian Church has never disputed the primacy of honour of the Phanar head.

The Russian hierarch explained that the question is not in the primacy itself but "in understanding the boundaries of this primacy".

"We have never disputed the primacy of honour of the Patriarch of Constantinople. When the Patriarch of Constantinople came to Moscow, it was he who led the Divine service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, not the Patriarch of Moscow," the hierarch recalled.

According to him, "This primacy of honour has belonged to the Patriarch of Constantinople since 1054 when communion with Rome was broken, and before that, the primacy of honour belonged to the Roman See."

"But one thing is the primacy of honour, and another thing is authoritative powers," emphasized the bishop. "This honorary primacy of honour does not grant the Patriarch of Constantinople any authoritative powers beyond the boundaries of his own Local Church."

Metropolitan Hilarion believes that the head of the Phanar "cannot, based on being the Ecumenical Patriarch, interfere in the affairs of Local Churches and make any decisions on their behalf".

As earlier reported, the ROC hierrarch commented on whether they consider Patriarch Bartholomew a heretic.

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