Syktyvkar, Russia, August 8, 2018
Photo: syktyvkar-eparchia.ru The Russian Orthodox Church is prepared to begin a dialogue with Russian authorities and society on the return of the institution of the monarchy, one hierarch recently stated.
That the Church could enter into a dialogue on the return of the only true form of government, according to Biblical teaching, was stated by His Eminence Archbishop Pitirim of Syktyvkar and Komi-Ziryansky on the television program “Fireside Chats” on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, reports Nevsky News.
Abp. Pitirim explained:
The Bible specifies two systems: theocracy and monarchy, which is inferior to theocracy. The democratic system is even more inferior, and moreso all the other systems we choose in our times. The Church is ready to enter into a dialogue on the monarchy. A monarchy has been preserved in many countries, so why is Russia less worthy of having a monarch like, for instance, the Queen of England? It’s an elevation of status, so what, is Russia not worthy of this status? The Church is ready for this ideology,
At the same time, he noted that such a dialogue could last for years or even decades. Speaking of the institution of monarchy, he especially highlighted the high moral level of especially the last Royal Family. Besides that the crown-bearers were deeply believing people, they also bore love for the Russian people. The heirs were raised in strictness, loved simple food, and were accustomed to work—the boys in military affairs, and the girls in nursing care for the ill and wounded, the archbishop explained.
Speaking on the television program “The Church and the World” last summer, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk also noted the advantages of monarchy and the Church’s readiness to join a dialogue on the matter: ““Within our Church there are people, there are groups of people who advocate for the restoration of monarchy, and I think that if our society will ever mature to discuss this issue, the Church will take a very active part in this discussion.”
For his part, His Eminence Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Pskov and Porkhov stated last summer that “monarchy is to some degree natural for a Church consciousness,” though he noted that monarchy as a system has its pros and cons and that it must be deserved, concluding that now is not the time to speak of a return to monarchy.
Met. Hilarion’s reflection came in response to the words of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia who had spoken about the possibility of reviving a constitutional monarchy with the Speaker of Parliament and the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee.
During a Sunday homily last summer, Pat. Ilia stated, “Georgia has a monarchical tradition. A constitutional monarchy would bring peace to the country,” though he added that such a decision could not be made soon.
“Perhaps we should think about who we were in the past, who we are today and who we want to be. We must remember that Georgia has a monarchical tradition that draws its origins from the Hellenistic period,” the Georgian primate added.
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