Patriarch Kirill: Part of the Orthodox Churches may fall into schism
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Photo: altaryvic.ru
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia believes that now in Orthodoxy there is a threat of entire Churches falling into schism due to the influence of forces that have nothing in common with God, reports RIA Novosti.
On January 18, 2022, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church said in a sermon after the Liturgy of Theophany Eve at the Alexander Nevsky Skete near Peredelkino that in the history of Orthodoxy there are examples of how not only some people but entire Churches went into schism.
"So today there is a threat that part of Orthodoxy, under the influence of external powerful forces that have nothing to do with the Church, can be wounded by this sin (schism – Ed.) and go away from the Source of eternal life to that place where there is only ritual but no Salvation," said Patriarch Kirill.
He urged those who hesitate today to think that they are choosing the path to salvation or to destruction. “Brothers and sisters, this is not just a human choice, this is not a choice of where to live, this is not a choice where to go – right or left. This is the path to salvation or to death because the path that leads us away from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church deprives us of the grace of God,” resumed the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
As reported, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of a crisis in global Orthodoxy.
Read also
Trump takes part in Bible-reading marathon
The U.S. president read an Old Testament passage in the Oval Office.
Authorities bar Armenian Church from prison ministry
The country’s penitentiary service has begun hiring individual clergy members while bypassing the Church hierarchy.
Man dies shielding child from terrorist’s bullet in Kyiv
A Kyiv janitor gave his life to save a child during an attack in a residential neighborhood.
UOC-KP calls OCU “a structure without canonical succession”
The UOC-KP has accused Epifaniy Dumenko’s structure of raiding and of isolating Filaret Denysenko before his death.
Constantinople bishop: If the Church loses its Greek spirit, what will remain?
Archbishop Makarios of the Constantinople Church criticized the rector of an Australian parish for conducting half of the service in English.
Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne
Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.