(Romfea News) - The Primate of the Alexandrian Church, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, in his interview to the newspaper “Ethnos”, for the first time takes a stand on the issue of granting Autocephaly to Ukraine.
Speaking about the attitude of the Archdiocese of Alexandria on the issue of the Autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church, the Patriarch of Alexandria has clearly pointed out that he has lived the pain and schism of the Ukrainian Church, but he knows very well “the Russian Church as well, because I was nurtured there for ten years and the Patriarchate of Alexandria has emotional bonds with it”.
He acknowledges, however, that there is a huge problem, that of the Autocephaly, which “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had the right to grant” but he clarifies that what has divided the Churches is the people who took the status of Autocephaly.
He revealed the initiative of Archbishop of Cyprus to meet with the Ecumenical Patriarch so as to ask for a meeting between Bartholomew, himself and the Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow. “Every problem has its solution. Our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the Patriarch of Romiosyne, who we all respect and love. Do not forget that this issue is not a dogmatic one. There is a solution to the issue of Autocephaly”.
He also added that there will soon be a new meeting in Nicosia with the participation of the Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria and the Church of Cyprus.
“I think a solution can be found, if we let aside our personal issues and consider the interest of the Church” he characteristically said.
For the new Archbishop of Australia, Makarios, he stresses that “I know him since a kid, I love and appreciate him. I am glad that Elpidophoros is going to America, and that in France there is another Archpriest from Crete, Emmanuel”.
With regard to his work on the African continent, Theodoros stresses that the biggest challenge he faces in performing his duties is poverty: “Man is no longer happy; there are no smiles and joy anymore. Today affluence is an end in itself, so I see sad faces. However, in my own field of action, which is mainly Black Continent, I do meet happy people”.
Monday, June 17, 2019
African primate works to mediate EP-Moscow relations
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Another statement by a hierarch of the Patriarchate of Alexandria: https://orthodoxsynaxis.org/2019/06/17/metropolitan-seraphim-kykkotis-of-zimbabwe-the-issue-of-ukraine-and-the-conciliar-institution/
ReplyDelete"... Patriarch Bartholomew is the Patriarch of Romiosyne, who we all respect and love...Do not forget that this issue is not a dogmatic one. here is a solution to the issue of Autocephaly”.he knows very well “the Russian Church as well, because I was nurtured there for ten years...He also added that there will soon be a new meeting in Nicosia with the participation of...I know him since a kid, I love and appreciate him. I am glad that Elpidophoros is going to America..."
ReplyDeleteIn other words, this is all inside baseball. Don't worry, we "archbishops", "metropolitans", and and "patriarchs" have this under control.
What poppycock
The issue IS dogmatic because it is ecclesiastical - how to apply a canonical structure designed for a Roman Empire to the modern world of nation states and de facto national churches. He is telling us that the status quo does and will work....except of course, when it doesn't...but don't worry, I know all these guys and in the cases I don't, I know a guy who knows a guy...
Has this Imperial Church of the East always been this delusional?
Jake,
DeleteI couldn't agree more with your assessment that this is, indeed, a theological matter, not just a canonical dilemma, because this controversy surrounding Ukraine is truly about ecclesiology (and multiple facets / aspects of ecclesiology at that).
Plain & simply put there isn't another way to state the case.
Also, this bit about the EP being the only one who can convene & preside over an ecumenical council is absolutely ridiculous. Even a cursory look at the 2,000 year history of the Church demonstrates, beyond all doubt, that this simply is not the case.
We need a reality check...and it seems to be coming in the form of a council.
For the new Archbishop of Australia, Makarios, he stresses that “I know him since a kid, I love and appreciate him. I am glad that Elpidophoros is going to America, and that in France there is another Archpriest from Crete, Emmanuel”.
ReplyDeleteDiaspora mentality.
I really don't think this would have been an issue at all had the schismatics been required to repent of their schism as well as be re-ordained as lack of apostolic succession was an issue
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that, after the meeting in Cyprus between the primates, their solution will be for the schismatics to be validly ordained in order to clear up any worry, and for them to suggest to Patriarch Kyrill to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Moscow Patriarchate. This really seems to be the only option
Now, given his past behavior I really dont think that Denishenko will go along with this and he will most likely remain in permanent schism.
Also, will be very telling if Bartholomew doesn't try and find a solution
For what it's worth, Moscow SHOULD give Metropolitan Onufry and the Canonical Ukrainian church autocephaly. The problem would be that, in the eyes of Ukrainian Nationalists, it isn't Moscow's to give.
DeleteIf there is anyone who is most deserving of the status of primate of an autocephalous church, it would be metropolitan Onufry. Amazing, prayerful man. What any true bishop should be.
DeleteIt's way too late. Bartholomew has been falling deeper and deeper down the ravine for many years. He is in the process of punishing the abbots of Mount Athos who do not agree with his schism. He truly believes he is the first without equals. There is only one solution. He needs to be deposed.
ReplyDeleteBut what are the odds of that actually happening? I'm guessing the other patriarchs will not do that
DeleteThey can't depose him; they can only break communion with him. Patriarchs are sovereigns. It would be up to the local synod to depose a renegade bishop.
Delete+Bartholomew is acting in the only way left to him to maintain the sovereignty and dignity of an "Ecumenical Patriarchate," and that is triangulate with overseas bishops. Because his local See is only 2,000 aging congregants and he's forbidden from worshiping in his own cathedral (which is maintained in a state of permanent desecration).
The See should have moved to Athens long ago or as +Philip of blessed memory wryly joked, New York City.
"The See should have moved to Athens long ago or as +Philip of blessed memory wryly joked, New York City."
DeleteNew York City! Get a rope...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX2AyjVrrck
Seriously, How could he/synod 'move the see' in our canonical structure? A real ecumenical council could, but then surely they would ask themselves "why are we 'moving' this see" which would lead to such questions as "how should we structure the Church and such things as 'Metropolitans' and "sees" in a world where the Empire has fallen, nation states have arisen, etc.". So yea, perhaps the bishop of New York City would be recognized as "Ecumenical", but I doubt anyone would be "moved". Rather, the EP of Constantinople would be recognized for what he truly is - a minor bishop of a minor number of people in the city of...wait for it...Istanbul! :)
"They can't depose him; they can only break communion with him. Patriarchs are sovereigns. It would be up to the local synod to depose a renegade bishop."
DeleteHuh? There's all kinds of examples, both historical and relatively recent (Irenaeus of Jerusalem...) of councils deposing patriarchs.
I'm happy to be proved wrong, but that looks like the local synod deposed their Patriarch, and the decision was accepted by a pan-Orthodox council.
DeleteThe more I think about it, the more I think you're completely incorrect. How can the Patriarchs depose another Patriarch? That is completely inconsistent with autocephaly. It would be like the Eastern Patriarchs deposing the Pope of Rome for his doctrinal and hierarchical errors. It didn't happen, because Rome is autocephalous. The only remedy the other sovereigns have against a wayward sovereign is to break communion.
No, the West should not have prevented Russia from freeing Constantinople from the Turks. Before anyone thinks I'm bashing Westerners, my ancestors came from Wales and Scotland. Can't get much further west in Europe than that.
ReplyDelete