Kiev, December 12, 2017
Photo: RIA-Novosti Self-styled “Patriarch” Philaret (Denisenko) of the schismatic “Kiev Patriarchate” (KP) has written a second appeal to the Russian Orthodox Church, seeking to overcome the unfortunate ongoing schism in Ukrainian Orthodoxy, this time addressed to Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
In the letter, “Pat.” Philaret speaks of the need for Ukrainian autocephaly in order to heal the Church schism there.
Both letters, the first being addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, which gathered in Moscow from November 29 to December 2, are both dated November 16, though the letter to the Council was already made publicly known during the convening of the Council, causing a major stir in the media, which initially reported Philaret’s address as an act of repentance for the sin of schism and an appeal to be received again into the Russian Orthodox Church.
However, KP Press Secretary Archbishop Evstraty Zorya soon responded that the letter was being misread and that Denisenko and the KP were interested only in discussing the possibility of the Russian Orthodox Church lifting the anathemas against Philaret and recognizing the autocephaly of the KP. However, it should be noted that the letter to the Council says nothing of autocephaly.
Moreover, Denisenko claimed at a press conference that the initiative for the appeal came from Met. Hilarion of ROCOR, although the Russian Church maintains that the initiative was Denisenko’s.
For more information, and to read the full text of the Philaret’s letter to His Holiness and the Council, see the articles, “Leader of Ukrainian schismatics Philaret reportedly asks forgiveness from Russian Orthodox Church,” “Russian Church certain of authenticity of “Pat.” Philaret’s letter,” ““Kiev Patriarchate” will never return to Russian Orthodox Church—“Pat.” Philaret,” and “Full Text of “Pat.” Philaret’s Letter to Russian Council of Bishops Posted Online.”
Philaret writes:
I express the hope that from hereafter, God-willing and with your feasible help, the Russian Orthodox Church will properly review the Definition of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the question of the full independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (November 1-3, 1991), unanimously approved and signed by the members of the Council, convened and conducted in strict accordance with the canons of the Church, the Statutes of the UOC and the gramota of Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia on the independence and autonomy of the UOC in its management.
I am convinced that the Russian Orthodox Church’s recognition of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would put an end to the present tragic division of Orthodox, which we all sincerely desire.
Note that the Council of Bishops, at their most recent meetings, resolved to amend the statutes of the Russian Orthodox Church to more fully and accurately reflect the autonomous nature of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, noting that its administration is centered in Kiev, rather than Moscow. His Beatitude Met. Onuphry proposed this measure specifically to more fully reflect the independence and autonomy spoken of in Philaret’s letter.
This increased level of independence can be seen, for example, in the Ukrainian Church’s recent opening of two parishes in Portugal. The blessing for the parishes came not from Pat. Kirill, but directly from Met. Onuphry himself.
However, Denisenko has called this amendment to the Russian Church’s statutes a deception.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview with risu.org.ua, KP Press Secretary Archbishop Evstraty Zorya stated he believes that reconciliation with the Russian Church is inevitable, putting an end to the “hot or cold war.” He explained that as the Russian Church and the various Ukrainian Churches exist and operate within the same sphere, a resolution is necessary for peaceful living. He also explicitly confirms the KP’s willingness to dialogue, while reiterating that it will never accept the model of “repent and rejoin.”
What precisely is the KP’s aim remains unclear, with varying and contradictory statements coming via letters, press conferences, and Facebook statements.
