Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, left, wants a single leader for Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarch Filaret is to the right on the photo). 
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, left, wants a single leader for Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarch Filaret is to the right on the photo). 
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, right, gives state award to Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy Metropolitan Vladimir, July 23, 2008.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko leaves the podium after a news conference in Kiev July 24, 2008. 
President Viktor Yushchenko, center, kisses the cross held by Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy Metropolitan Vladimir, July 28, 2007.Russia and Ukrainian have a new reason for clashes. Ukraine’s leadership attempts to use the celebration of 1020th baptism anniversary of Kiev Russia to unite all Orthodox churches of Ukraine and persuade Patriarch Bartholomew to recognize the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarchy, which is regarded dissenting in Moscow.
“I believe the 1020th Baptism Anniversary of Kiev Russia will bring momentum to the unification process in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. I know, the believers are striving for unity, the Ukrainian nation is striving for unity, the mere logic of our historic development requires unity,” President Viktor Yushchenko announced at the yesterday’s press conference to confirm the gravest preapprehension of Moscow related to marking the baptism anniversary that begins today, July 25, 2008.
There are three orthodox churches in Ukraine. The first one is Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy. It is headed by Metropolitan Vladimir, is subordinate to Russian Orthodox Church and the only one recognized worldwide.
The second church is Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarchy. It is led by Patriarch Filaret and split off the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992. Moscow deems it dissenting and Filaret was anathematized far back in 1997. And the last of the trio is Ukrainian Autocephalous Church led by Metropolitan Methodius.
The plan of Ukrainian leadership is to consolidate all three churches into a single Ukrainian Church independent from Russian Orthodox Church. In Moscow, they will agree to a single scenario – the dissenters will repent errors and return to Russian Orthodox Church.
But the celebration of baptism anniversary may set into motion the unification. The key figure is His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who arrived in Kiev to attend the festivities. Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to lift anathema from Filaret and accept Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarchy and Ukrainian Autocephalous Church to Constantinople Church.
At the same time, Yushchenko’s administration will attempt to pressurize Patriarch Alexei II to grant autocephaly or wider autonomy to Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy. Should it happen, Yushchenko will declare the emergence of Ukrainian Church based on these three churches.
The success of this project will be a double victory of Ukrainian president, as it will narrow Russia’s influence in the country and create for him the long-desired image of nation’s unifier, which is vital on the threshold of 2009 presidential election.
The body guards in the photo do not look too impressed with the ceremony. If anything they seem to disdain the kissing of the cross by the president.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're wondering if the cross is booby trapped?
ReplyDeleteSoph - I'm glad to see your sense of humor prevails!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMichelle-thank goodness for that, ey?
ReplyDeletethe mice and the elephant...
ReplyDelete