Warsaw, February 7, 2023
Photo: pravlife.org
A scandal erupted in the Polish media after His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa, the primate of the Polish Orthodox Church, sent greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the latter’s enthronement as primate on February 1.
In his brief message, Met. Sawa sends his “most cordial, fraternal greetings and wishes,” and writes of the revival of the Russian Church under Pat. Kirill.
He also states that events in Ukraine show that the enemy of mankind hates Church stability, but God is great, and “We deeply believe that the evil that destroys the Divine Church organism will be destroyed by the Conqueror of death and hell, Christ.”
Finally, he wishes Pat. Kirill “abundant help from God in carrying the primatial cross, health, and all good things.”
And despite the Polish Church’s public stance against the war, many took the protocolar greeting as rather a sign of support.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych went so far as to call Met. Sawa an “enemy of Poland.”
“it’s really a shame and a disgrace,” the Ambassador declared.
The Polish outlet Polityka published an article entitled, “Polish Orthodox Church supports Moscow? Wishes to Patriarch Kirill.” Fakt.pl published, “The Polish archbishop fawns over Putin. These words are terrifying,” including a statement from a Christian publicist that “it would be worthwhile for the Polish special services to look at [Met. Sawa].”
Given the media frenzy, His Beatitude issued a statement to the faithful of the Polish Orthodox Church on Saturday, clarifying the situation and reiterating his position on Ukraine.
As Met. Sawa explains, the heads of the Local Churches customarily greet one another on various important dates. But given the anxiety caused by his greeting, he reaffirms that he is against the war in Ukraine, and reminds that he personally appealed to Pat. Kirill to call for an end to it.
He also reiterates that he doesn’t agree with the Russian primate’s statements about the war in Ukraine. Rather, together with all the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Polish Church, he supports Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Polish primate also reaffirms that the hierarchy supports the independence of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and has repeatedly called upon Patriarch Bartholomew to convene the Orthodox primates to resolve the issue.
And, as Met. Sawa reminds, the Polish Church has been providing material, pastoral, and moral help to Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of the war. The Church’s ELEOS charitable service even received state recognition on Friday.
“I have devoted my whole life to serving God, the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, our homeland, the Republic of Poland, the patriotic education of young generations, the organization of the Orthodox military chaplaincy, and helping those in need,” the Metropolitan writes, explaining that he sent greetings to Pat. Kirill “to fulfill the requirements of protocol,” and not as a sign of support for his position on the war.
In conclusion, he asks forgiveness for any pain he caused the Church:
The perspective of the last few days and the interpretation of my intentions and words by many in a way contrary to my intentions shows that I was wrong and the situation required more caution. That’s why I express my regret that I caused such a big media fuss, exposing the community of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church to undeserved pain.
In the spirit of the Sunday of Forgiveness of Sins, which is approaching in our Church, I turn to you, brothers and sisters in Christ, and to all my countrymen: Forgive me, a sinner.
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