In connection with non-canonical actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople taken in respect of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad recognizes the impossible the continuation of the Eucharistic communion with the Church of Constantinople at any level, informs a portal “Orthodox life”. This is stated in the Statement of the Synod of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia, published on 18 October 2018 Synod.com.
“In a situation when the very nature of canonical Orthodoxy dealt a serious insult, the Synod of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia has no choice but with great sorrow, but also with full conviction, to announce its agreement with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, which recognized the impossibility of continuing the Eucharistic communion with the Church of Constantinople at any level as long as this ancient and once glorious Church-the Sister will not bring repentance, will not abandon the introduction of a false and alien to the Orthodox doctrine about a certain championship and the comprehensive power – She, like, owned, – do not return to the Orthodox faith and did not cease his bezzakonie”, – said in a statement.
It clarifies the Synod, Eucharistic communion with Constantinople is currently impossible for the bishops and clergy and for the laity.
“While the current situation will remain unchanged, the clergy of our Church may not serve in any parish of the Church of Constantinople or to invite clergy of this Church to serve in our churches. Also the laity are not allowed to partake of Holy communion in churches of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Please note that the Russian Church Abroad will not take part in any theological Church, as well as in the dialogues, including the regional Assembly of canonical bishops who lead (or co-chairs which are) the bishops and clergy of the Church of Constantinople,” – said in a statement.
All the faithful, the Synod encourages intensify their prayers for the world Church, “and thus, not faint heart, believing that the Wisdom of God overcomes all the lies, if we remain faithful to what is true and sacred”.
Primates of local Orthodox Churches of ROCOR asked to “reflect on current circumstances, and in blagovremeno to come together to achieve true, the canonical solution to pending issues”.
Below is the text of the statement is published in full.
Statement Of The Synod Of Bishops
The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
The Synod of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia sends the fullness of his priesthood, and Orthodox believers all over the world its deep sorrow at the non-canonical actions taken in recent days by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This is especially true of reports from the office of the Synod of Constantinople of October 11, 2018. At the same time we Express our full support for the position articulated by the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate at the meeting of 15 October 2018, and the statement on the same day was accepted by the Synod.
The illegal actions of the Church of Constantinople cannot be justified canonically represent a grave and dangerous injustice to the traditions of Orthodoxy, the outrageous neglect of and indifference to the spiritual good of the flock of Christ (cf. John 10,3;11). Expressing its intention to establish the stavropegic his Church in the Ukraine, Constantinople, therefore, has invaded the canonical territory of other Local Churches, which in itself is a blatant anticanonically arbitrariness, since the Synod of the Church of Constantinople has no such actions, neither the government nor law, and we expressly declare that under no circumstances do not recognize such institutions legal force, we will deny the legitimacy of those who dare to declare themselves pastors belonging to these secular organizations.
Even more serious is the decision of the Church of Constantinople “restore” the canonical status of certain schismatics, who for canonical egregious crimes has rightly been cast out from Sana’a, the Council of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, in agreement with other local Orthodox Churches. On the basis of false allegations, if established in ancient times the prerogative of getting Constantinople petitions for the mediation of disputes and disagreements in the Orthodox Church can be likened to possess the sole and exclusive authority, Constantinople illegally appropriated non-existent powers, and thus justifies its attempts to interfere in the Affairs of other local Churches. However, according to the canons of Constantinople does not possess this kind of canonical authority, and – in cases such lawlessness – distorts the true nature of the concept of “first among equals”, which is directly opposed to canonical Orthodoxy.
With the aim of clear understanding of the current situation of the believers, we thus clearly state that the fair anathematisation Council of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church those who have departed into schism and persists in his delusions cannot be undone and is not canceled by unilateral action of Constantinople. In the sight of God according to the Holy canons and teachings of the Orthodox Church, these people remain in their fair judgment and are considered to be non-split, i.e., fallen away from Holy Orthodoxy. Moreover, we remind the faithful: canons directly tell us that entering into communion with the legitimately overthrown find themselves in the schism (see Antiochus, 2). So anyone who follows unlawful decisions of Constantinople and enters into communion with schismatics, he departs from the Orthodox canonical unity and remain in schism, than exposes the mortal danger to their souls.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church handed over pastoral care of his Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry and his fellow archpastors, bringing a truly confessional Ministry, remains today, as after the Act of 1686, the only canonical Church on this God-blessed earth. The decision of the Church of Constantinople “withdraw” this Letter is unfounded and, according to Orthodox canonical tradition, is essentially impossible. Despite the statement made by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople on October 11, believers can be quite sure that the historic Charter in 1686 remains valid and obligatory act, according to which the canonical authority of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Moscow Patriarchate remains the same, whatever the intentions of the current authorities in the Phanar.
In a situation when the very nature of canonical Orthodoxy dealt a serious insult, the Synod of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia has no choice but with great sorrow, but also with full conviction, to announce its agreement with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, which recognized the impossibility of continuing the Eucharistic communion with the Church of Constantinople at any level as long as this ancient and once glorious Church-the Sister will not bring repentance, will not abandon the introduction of a false and alien to the Orthodox doctrine about a certain championship and the comprehensive power – She, like, owned, – do not return to the Orthodox faith and did not cease his bezzakonie.
Thus, we inform our clergy and faithful that the Eucharist communion with Constantinople is not currently possible – for both bishops and clergy and for the laity. While the current situation will remain unchanged, the clergy of our Church may not serve in any parish of the Church of Constantinople or to invite clergy of this Church to serve in our churches. Also the laity are not allowed to partake of Holy communion in churches of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Please note that the Russian Church Abroad will not take part in any theological Church, as well as in the dialogues, including the regional Assembly of canonical bishops who lead (or co-chairs which are) the bishops and clergy of the Church of Constantinople.
Encourage all the faithful to intensify their prayers for the peace of the Church, which is now so carefully plunged into temptation and is being tested through illegal actions by a variety of neo-ecclesiological and false teachings, and not to weaken the heart, believing that the Wisdom of God overcomes all the lies, if we remain faithful to what is true and sacred. We ask the primates of the local Orthodox Churches to reflect on current circumstances, and in blagovremeno to come together to reach a genuine, canonical solution of urgent issues.
I hope and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, Who does not leave her children and humbles the pride of man’s infinite love of divine Truth, strengthen his Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, all bishops, clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and all Orthodox believers of all languages and countries.
New York, October 18, 2018.