Russian Synod addresses participation of schismatic “bishop” in episcopal consecration in Constantinople

Moscow, April 14, 2021

The graceless schismatic Evstraty Zorya is third from the left. Photo: romfea.gr The graceless schismatic Evstraty Zorya is third from the left. Photo: romfea.gr     

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church gathered at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence at Moscow’s Danilov Monastery yesterday under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia for its first session of 2021.

The hierarchs addressed a number of issues, including the unfortunate deepening of the schism surrounding the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s anti-canonical invasion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church territory.

Specifically, the Synod addressed the recent episcopal consecration in Istanbul in which participated a “hierarch” of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.” Even if the schism between the Patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople is overcome, this consecration will still be unacceptable, the hierarchs state.

The Synodal report reads:

It became known from media reports that on March 21, 2021, during the Divine Liturgy at St. George’s Cathedral in Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, concelebrated by hierarchs of the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Alexandria, and also a representative of one of the schismatic communities in Ukraine who has no canonical ordination, headed the consecration of Metropolitan Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies, which is confirmed by the publication of relevant photos.

The schismatic “hierarch” in question is “Archbishop” Evstrary Zorya of Chernigov, once the faithful companion of “Patriarch” Philaret Denisenko and now one of the main propagandists for the schismatic OCU.

Thus, the Synod resolved:

  1. To express regret that a person who has no canonical ordination participated in an episcopal consecration in the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

  2. To note that this event deepens the schism in the Orthodox world, caused by the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

  3. Considering the canonical defectiveness of the consecration of Metropolitan Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies, to state with regret that it will be impossible to concelebrate with him if, with God’s help, Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople will be restored. The same applies to the clergy whom the given metropolitan may eventually ordain.

Zorya immediately responded on Facebook, writing that the Russian Synod “thinks they can control the Holy Spirit and Divine grace and the Kingdom of Heaven and hell with their papers.”

Recall that the Church, in fact, has its canonical tradition that governs the matter of episcopal consecrations.

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4/14/2021

See also
Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, on All Aspects of the Ukrainian Question Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, on All Aspects of the Ukrainian Question
Met. Isaiah of Tamassos Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, on All Aspects of the Ukrainian Question Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, on All Aspects of the Ukrainian Question
An Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos and Orinis. Part 1
Metropolitan Isaiah (Kykkotis) of Tamassos
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos and Orinis gave an interview to the Romfea Church news agency, which we have translated into English in three parts, frankly answering all the questions about his position regarding the actions of Constantinople, the West, and Moscow, and also commenting on the behavior of the Archbishop of Cyprus. Constantinople is weaponized by Western powers against Russian Church, explains Cypriot Met. Isaiah of Tamassos Constantinople is weaponized by Western powers against Russian Church, explains Cypriot Met. Isaiah of Tamassos Constantinople is weaponized by Western powers against Russian Church, explains Cypriot Met. Isaiah of Tamassos Constantinople is weaponized by Western powers against Russian Church, explains Cypriot Met. Isaiah of Tamassos
In a new interview with Romfea, the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus explains Constantinople’s historical fear of the Russian Church and how it is used for worldly purposes, as well as his own love and respect for both the Churches of Russia and Constantinople. Constantinople is trying to destroy Church unity, says Ohrid Archdiocese of Serbian Church Constantinople is trying to destroy Church unity, says Ohrid Archdiocese of Serbian Church Constantinople is trying to destroy Church unity, says Ohrid Archdiocese of Serbian Church Constantinople is trying to destroy Church unity, says Ohrid Archdiocese of Serbian Church
The Patriarchate of Constantinople acts as though it is above the conciliar nature of the Church and is thereby attacking and destroying Church unity, says the Archdiocese of Ohrid of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Comments
Editor4/16/2021 9:59 am
David, you seem to imply that because a mistake was most likely made in accepting schismatics who joined the CP in North America, that now an even bigger mistake should be made by the MP and they should accept the schismatics who joined the CP on the MP's unmistakably canonical territory. Your logic is flawed, and we will not be continuing this absurd discussion.
Raphael 4/16/2021 1:55 am
Thank you Ignatius, that makes perfect sense. I'm sure James and David also understand the difference between an unrepentant schismatic who murders Orthodox Christians while seizing their churches and a man who realizes where the Church is and humbly repents of his heresy so as to join Her. If people refuse to recognize the difference, then I would simply remind you of our Lord's words about not casting pearls before swine who lack critical thinking and desperately attempt to defend the globalists.
David4/16/2021 12:30 am
Dear Editor, it was not my intention to offend, nor is it a "refusal to understand," but to point out a serious problem. It can be said that the OCU did in fact "join" the Orthodox Church when it was received by the EP, did it not? And by submitting themselves to the EP, putting aside their faux Patriarchate and accepting the Tomos, it can be said that they have renounced schism, correct? Now the MP might argue that the EP had no right to do this, as Ukraine is not their territory and the EP is not their Mother Church, so this act is void------but if that is the case, then why did the MP accept the EP's receiving of the Ukrainians in North America? Same canonical issues, and branches of the same schism. Is it just a territorial question? I am not a canon expert, but one doesn't have to be a canon expert to see the glaring problems here and questions. At any rate, I am grateful to you for publish commentary on this issue.
Editor4/15/2021 5:40 pm
We are not going to repeat this again for those who simply can't seem to get the point. There is a difference between a clergyman consciously joining the Orthodox Church and repenting of his former error, and a schismatic or heretic who does not join the Orthodox Church, and does not repent of his former error. We will not be opening anymore comments by those who refuse to understand this.
Ignatius4/15/2021 2:27 pm
James - It is because the "bishop" in question is part of a schismatic group and has not repented and returned/joined the Church. Orthodox bishops cannot concelebrate any Sacraments with schismatics without dire consequences. Fr. Gabriel Bunge has converted to Orthodoxy and joined the Church. That is the difference. I hope that helps to clarify.
Raphael4/15/2021 6:25 am
Who is Fr. Gabriel Bunge, and when was he accepted into the Orthodox Church? If such a thing happened, its true that it would be an inconsistency.
David4/15/2021 12:11 am
I second James' point. If Catholics can be received by "vesting," why not the OCU? I have a hard time taking this pronouncement seriously, considering the latitude the MP has practiced on this issue. Was St. Alexis Toth "reordained?" The MP are on much firmer ground making the territorial argument on Ukraine. Statements like this just make the MP look hypocritical, considering their own historical use of "economy" on the ordination question.
James4/14/2021 4:04 pm
But Fr. Gabriel Bunge is a priest even though he was ordained by Catholics and not by an Orthodox bishop? I still don't understand why the Russian Church can accept heretical clergy the way it does but Constantinople can't. (Not because I support Constantinople, but because of the consistency issue.)
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