Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra in Kiev, the seat of the canonical UAOC (MP)
Official celebrations to mark the 1,020th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia began in the Ukraine on 24 July. The current jubilee is of great importance not only for the Russian people as a whole, but, also for the Russian Orthodox Church. The MP hopes that the events to mark the 1,020th anniversary since the Baptism of Russia will become a holiday celebrating the unity of all world Orthodoxy.
The policy pursued in recent years by the Ukrainian government of trying to drive a wedge between the MP and the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church (MP) and their attempt to create an independent “Local Church” in the Ukraine created discord amongst believers in both countries. At present, there are three Orthodox bodies in the Ukraine, but, only one of them, the UAOC (MP), is unanimously recognised as canonical by all autocephalous Local Orthodox Churches of the world, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul to the most ancient body, the Church of Antioch. The festivities to mark the jubilee must become a factor in uniting the entire Orthodox people, strengthening them and renewing their bonds. “For this very reason, Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia shall take part in the divine services marking this celebration”, said Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk, a spokesman for the MP.
Bishop Mark said, “With God’s help, the forthcoming visit of Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia to the Ukraine will strengthen the position of the Orthodox Church and canonical Orthodoxy in that country. Today, the Ukrainian government pursues a policy of supporting all existing religious confessions in the country, including bodies that place themselves in opposition to the Orthodox Church and canonical Orthodoxy. We see them as nothing but schismatics. Unfortunately, the state gives them support, and this causes our concern. His Holiness, together with the First Hierarchs of other Orthodox churches shall take part in the festivities. This shall be a clear sign [to Ukrainian politicians] that church life in the Ukraine cannot be resolved by political interference. Kiev is of special and unique importance in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is our common Baptismal font, this is the place where Russian monasticism originated, it is the cradle of our great Christian culture, and the ideas of Orthodox statehood were formed here”.
In spite of the convoluted church situation in the Ukraine, the forthcoming events promise to be a large-scale and colourful holiday. Over 15 heads of all Orthodox churches of the world shall come to the Ukraine. The delegation will be headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. On 27 July, on Vladimirskoi Hill, near the monument to Prince Vladimir who baptised Russia in 988, making it a Christian nation, a historical event shall take place. Two Patriarchs, of Moscow and Istanbul, will jointly serve the Divine Liturgy in honour of the anniversary. As a part of the festivities, the heads of the Orthodox churches shall meet with the country’s political élite, greet ordinary believers, and visit historical sites and Orthodox shrines and churches. To conclude the festivities, an all-Orthodox procession with the relics of Saint Price Vladimir will be held.
Festivities to mark the Baptism of Russia will continue in Ukraine till July 30. Patriarch Aleksei plans to visit several Ukrainian cities in those days, including Donetsk and Svyatogorsk.
24 July 2008
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=77980&cid=22&p=24.07.2008 (in Russian)
Editor’s Note:
I cannot get over a sense of foreboding over this affair. Yushchenko is unbalanced, as are his paymasters Bush and Rice (their plans for attacking Iran are prima facie proof of that). Yushchenko, I believe, is going to try to manoeuvre Bartholomew into a public action supporting his schismatical proposal for “church unity”. This is very dangerous for the Church.
I should add here that I have seen many scandals in the Church (remember young Grabbe in Jerusalem?); none of them has given me the misgivings that I feel today. A civil ruler wishes to pervert the Church for his own ends; he is known to be a man lacking in scruples and common decency. He even lacks the simple prudence of a Vladimir Putin or Dmitri Medvedev. I shall not rest easy until this affair is put to bed. There is too much that can go wrong with Viktor Yushchenko’s hand in the pot…
