29.07.2008, [20:01] // Inter-Christian relations //
Kyiv-Moscow— “Of course such attempts will be made,” said Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kyrill (Hundyaev), during the 29 July press-conference in Moscow. This information was reported by “Ukrajinska Pravda” with reference from “Interfacs-Ukraina.”
“I do not have a good-natured, optimistic view of the future. We do not have the grounds for such good-natured optimism. But our assignment consists of resisting all the dangers appearing in our faith, from our convictions and relying on help from God,” he added.
Speaking about the possibility of changing the canonical status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the metropolitan mentioned that this would not be allowed.
“A lot of pressure has been made and continues to be made on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Certain steps to change the canonical status are being requested of the Church,” said the Metropolitan Kyrill.
He mentioned that on 23 July at the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves was a large session of the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in which Metropolitan Volodymyr proposed to the hierarchs to discuss the possibility of changing the canonical status of the Church.
“Everyone present, except for one hierarch, spoke in support for the preservation of unity of our church, and declared that they will not allow any change in the canonical status,” stated the Metropolitan.
In his words, this idea was demonstrated by Ukrainians who met with Patriarch Alexis II.
“I saw thousands of Orthodox people who greeted the patriarch in a matter that I have never seen before. Someone said that it reminded them of a meeting with liberators, so much such happiness was found the Ukrainians,” said Metropolitan Kyrill.
He added that this reaction was a “colossal support of this plain truth, which was once said by a reverend and godly person: Russia – Ukraine – Belarus are the holy Rus’.”
Kyrill also declared that the church schism “can only be overcome by Church methods.” “No political schemes will work. Interference by politicians will create more divisions. Nothing good will come from this,” said the Metropolitan.
“I do not think that this will settle right away. I do not think that our Church awaits easy times in Ukraine. Maybe someone will want to take revenge for what happened. But I would like to return to all of these passionate hotheads. We have to understand one simple thing: the Church exists by its own inner logic for 2000 years. And this is the one thing missing in our time,” he added.
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