Georgian Church: Ukrainian issue requires involvement of both Moscow and Constantinple

Tbilisi, October 1, 2018

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

The Georgian Orthodox Church has come out against the unilateral interference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the internal affairs of the Ukrainian Church, calling instead for cooperation between Constantinople and the Russian Church.

According to a statement posted on the Georgian Church’s official site yesterday, the Church of Georgia believes that joint efforts and dialogue between the two Churches are necessary to solve the problem of the schisms in Ukraine.

“We think that at this stage we should not make any hasty evaluations until the two sides have formulated their official and non-appealable positions on the basis of the norms of canon law,” the Georgian statement reads.

The statement also notes that the situation in Ukraine is very delicate, so it is necessary that both the Patriarchate of Constantinople and that of Moscow take part in any decision.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia traveled to Constantinople on August 31 in an attempt to have a fraternal discussion with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew about the situation in Ukraine. While there, he proposed “to hold a meeting of scholars and hierarchs at which it would be possible to discuss the historical documents concerning the question of the Kiev Metropolis’ inclusion into the Moscow Patriarchate in 1686.”

However, Pat. Bartholomew did not accept this proposal but is instead moving ahead with his unilateral actions in Ukraine.

“It’s a fact that the two Churches feel responsibility before millions of Orthodox, care for the unity of the Church, and we hope that they will do everything possible to find a way to peacefully resolve this problem. We always pray for this,” the document reads.

While the Georgian Synod has not taken a formal stance on the issue, it is known that His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II strongly opposes Constantinople’s interference in Ukraine.

Follow us on Facebook!

10/1/2018

See also
“There’s a new Church schism at our door”: Ecumenical Patriarch should unite, not divide Orthodoxy—Met. Ambrose “There’s a new Church schism at our door”: Ecumenical Patriarch should unite, not divide Orthodoxy—Met. Ambrose “There’s a new Church schism at our door”: Ecumenical Patriarch should unite, not divide Orthodoxy—Met. Ambrose “There’s a new Church schism at our door”: Ecumenical Patriarch should unite, not divide Orthodoxy—Met. Ambrose
While the Ecumenical Patriarch, according to Met. Ambrose, is supposed to symbolize unity in the Orthodox world and settle disputes and conflicts between Local Orthodox Churches and Church leaders, he seems to have set himself the task of dividing the Orthodox world, the Greek hierarch believes.
Church of Cyprus prepared to become mediator in settlement of Ukrainian Church issue Church of Cyprus prepared to become mediator in settlement of Ukrainian Church issue Church of Cyprus prepared to become mediator in settlement of Ukrainian Church issue Church of Cyprus prepared to become mediator in settlement of Ukrainian Church issue
Archbishop Chrysostomos’ words were falsely reported by the Ukrainian government.
Athonite abbot: Church in Ukraine needs to maintain unity with Russian Church Athonite abbot: Church in Ukraine needs to maintain unity with Russian Church Athonite abbot: Church in Ukraine needs to maintain unity with Russian Church Athonite abbot: Church in Ukraine needs to maintain unity with Russian Church
The Ukrainian Church should, as far as possible, preserve its unity with the Moscow Patriarchate, Archimandrite Parthenios (Murelatos), the abbot of the Athonite Monastery of St. Paul, believes.
Greek metropolitan calls on Constantinople to repent and cease communication with Ukrainian schismatics Greek metropolitan calls on Constantinople to repent and cease communication with Ukrainian schismatics Greek metropolitan calls on Constantinople to repent and cease communication with Ukrainian schismatics Greek metropolitan calls on Constantinople to repent and cease communication with Ukrainian schismatics
“The Patriarchate of Constantinople’s persistence in granting autocephaly to Ukrainian schismatics has led to these sad and unfortunate results,” the Greek hierarch believes.
Belarusian Orthodox Church condemns Constantinople’s anti-canonical incursion into Ukraine Belarusian Orthodox Church condemns Constantinople’s anti-canonical incursion into Ukraine
The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church met yesterday to discuss the recent appointment by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of two exarch bishops in Kiev as a preparatory move towards granting autocephaly to a united Ukrainian Church at the request of President Petro Poroshenko.
Highly-revered Patriarch of Georgia strongly opposes Constantinople intervention in Ukraine Highly-revered Patriarch of Georgia strongly opposes Constantinople intervention in Ukraine Highly-revered Patriarch of Georgia strongly opposes Constantinople intervention in Ukraine Highly-revered Patriarch of Georgia strongly opposes Constantinople intervention in Ukraine
While the Synod itself declined to take an official stance, preferring to wait until the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially proclaims a clear stance on the issue, Pat. Ilia, the most loved and trusted man in Georgia, expressed his own view, stating his displeasure with the intervention of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Ukrainian issue.

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×