ROC: Bartholomew has no right to call himself the leader of Orthodoxy
Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Photo: mitropolia74.ru
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople has no right to speak on behalf of the entire world Orthodoxy and claim to be its leader. This is stated in the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, following the meeting on September 23-24, 2021, reports Patriarchia.ru.
The Synod noted that "the noble deeds of the ever-memorable Holy Patriarchs of Constantinople in the past do not justify the current canonical crimes of Patriarch Bartholomew, who supported the schism and entered into church communion with persons who call themselves Orthodox bishops but do not have canonical ordination".
It is stressed that by supporting the schism in Ukraine, Patriarch Bartholomew lost the trust of millions of believers, and “in conditions when the majority of Orthodox believers in the world are not in church communion with him, he no longer has the right to speak on behalf of the entire world Orthodoxy and claim to be its leader".
The Synod confirmed the loyalty of the Moscow Patriarchate to the norms of canon law and the generally recognized principles of inter-Orthodox cooperation, as well as its openness to a pan-Orthodox discussion of the situation in world Orthodoxy.
“The responsibility for undermining the unity of the Orthodox Church lies entirely with Patriarch Bartholomew as a result of his anti-canonical actions,” the Russian Orthodox Church stressed.
In conclusion, the Synod expressed support for the Primate and the fullness of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church "in their standing for the truth, in their faithfulness to the canonical unity of the Church".
The meeting was held on September 23-24 in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. The ROC Synod condemned the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine and called it a gross violation of the canons.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.