Orthodox Hierarchs from Several Local Churches State that Ukrainian Schismatics aren’t Part of World Orthodoxy

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Orthodox hierarchs from various Local Churches condemned the Ukrainian schism and expressed support for the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church/Moscow Patriarchate (UOC/MP). Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of Paris and all France (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) said in an interview with the website Православие в Украине (Pravoslavie v Ukraine: Orthodoxy in the Ukraine), “The only way open to the schismatics is to return to the Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Vladimir”. Along with other Orthodox clergy from other Local Churches, he recently visited Kiev on the feastday of the Baptism of Rus, which also had festivities celebrating the 20th anniversary of the installation of Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine as the First Hierarch of the UOC/MP. Metropolitan Emmanuel emphasised, “The Patriarchate of Constantinople has no relationship with schismatics; it doesn’t acknowledge or recognise them”.

Archbishop Petros Giakoumelos of Aksum (Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa) also unequivocally denied that any of the Local Churches could recognise schismatics; it was a sheer impossibility. In Vladyki Petro’s opinion, the Kiev anniversary celebration was testimony to the current stability of the UOC/MP, saying, “Nothing can destroy or divide the Oneness of the Church”.

Metropolitan Gavriil Dinev of Lovech (Patriarchate of Bulgaria) said that the Church at large wouldn’t recognise the schismatics until they reconciled with the UOC/MP.

Metropolitan Nikolaos Hatzinikolaou of Mesogeia and Lavreotiki (Church of Greece) stressed, “The healing of the schism is an internal matter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which she must deal with as she sees fit, without any pressure from other Local Churches”. He spoke of the impossibility of recognising the “Mysteries” performed by schismatics, pointing up a similar case in the Greek context. The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece decided not to recognise baptisms performed by schismatic Greek Old Calendarists, as it isn’t in communion with such unfaithful elements; it receives such people by chrismation.

For his part, Archbishop Abel Popławski of Lublin and Chełm (Church of Poland) pointed up, “Schism is a sin; as with any other sin, it can only be cured with repentance”. He reminded us that Philaret Denisenko, the head of the self-proclaimed so-called “Patriarchate of Kiev”, is under an anathema, and he and his organisation has no place among the canonical Churches.

7 August 2012

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=46877

Patriarch Kirill Lauded the Loyalty to Canonical Orthodoxy of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev

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Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias awarded Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine the Order of Metropolitan St Innocent of Moscow and Kolomna (First Degree) in connection with the 50th anniversary of Vladyki Vladimir’s ordination to the priesthood. The official statement of His Holiness, released on Thursday by his press service, said, “The enemy of the human race continues to sow the tares of hatred and division in human hearts. For two decades, with patience and hope, you bore the cross of being the First Hierarch of the UOC/MP, you gathered together the canonical Orthodox faithful, and you guarded the clergy, monastics, and believers entrusted to you from temptations”. As the Patriarch stated, “Metropolitan Vladimir devoted much effort to the revival of churches and monasteries, the preservation of Orthodox Tradition, the augmentation of our rich spiritual heritage, and educating our youth in morals and the faith. It’s gratifying to know that in all situations, you’ve been an exemplar of spiritual steadfastness, of devotion to God and to His calling”. The MP awards the Order of Metropolitan St Innocent of Moscow (First Degree) to First Hierarchs and Hierarchs of the MP and of other Local Orthodox Churches for missionary and educational work, and to prominent statesmen and public figures who assist the Church in its missionary outreach.

14 June 2012

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=45938

Patriarch Kirill Called Upon Ukrainian Schismatics to Return to the Canonical Church

Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine (1935- ), First Hierarch of the UOC/MP… a confessor of Church Unity

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Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias sent his greetings to Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine, on the 20th anniversary of the UOC/MP Archpastoral Council in Kharkov that elected Vladyki Vladimir the First Hierarch of the UOC/MP. A patriarchal letter to the Conference Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the Verge of the Millennium, held in Kiev as part of a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Vladyki Vladimir as First Hierarch, said, “The disintegration of a unified state, a surge of national identity in newly-formed countries, and seriously-profound political, economic, and social changes in the 1990s… all this brought great difficulties to the Church. One such problem was the Church schism in the Ukraine”. The official MP website reported that Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, the head of the MP Department of External Church Relations, read the patriarchal letter at the opening of the conference on Monday.

According to Patriarch Kirill, 20 years have passed since “political elements invaded the life of the Church, but the Ukrainian church went through this ordeal with its honour intact, revealing to the world a number of bishops and confessors who protected the foundations of the eternal life of the church against the encroachments of hostile forces”. His Holiness noted that Metropolitan Vladimir made a special contribution to overcoming the strife, saying, “The schismatic leaders come and go, the names of their associations change, but the UOC/MP is growing, built upon the rock of faith, its First Hierarch being an exemplar of Christian responsibility and unwavering courage”.

As Patriarch Kirill pointed up, there are no grounds to doubt the canonicity of the Kharkov Sobor in 1992 and its resolutions, noting, “No one should have any doubt… the fullness of the Local Orthodox Churches recognised its validity, their First Hierarchs and representatives have repeatedly expressed their support of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir. However, as we rejoice in the victory of the Evangelical truth, we grieve for those in schism, whether they are so knowingly or unknowingly. Now, once again, in all love and humility, I’d like to appeal to those who remain outside the Unity of the Holy Church. After all, the schism isn’t only a tragedy of the Ukrainian people; it’s also a pain for all our Church. We still await the return of our fellow believers, and we’re ready to accept them without reproach, in a spirit of love, mercy, and forgiveness”.

28 May 2012

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=45720

The First Hierarch of the UOC/MP Returned to His Duties

Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan (1935- ) of Kiev and all the Ukraine

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The Holy Synod of the UOC/MP reported that Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine resumed his duties after a long illness. Metropolitan Vladimir headed the 8 May meeting, so, it decided to suspend the decrees in force during the First Hierarch’s hospitalisation. In particular, it suspended its decision of 23 December 2011 concerning the temporary presiding officer of the Synod, Metropolitan Agafangel Savvin of Odessa and Izmail. In addition, it suspended the decision of 26 January 2012 on the temporary management of the Diocese of Kiev (assigning these functions to the superior of the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel Lebed of Vishgorod and Chernobyl). The Synod appointed Archbishop Antony Pakanich of Borispol as Chancellor of the UOC/MP, relieving him of his post as head of the Department for External Church Relations. His replacement was Archbishop Mitrofan Yurchuk of Belaya Tserkov and Boguslav, the previous Chancellor. Along with his main responsibilities, he’ll represent the First Hierarch of the UOC/MP in state, public, and church activities, and be responsible for inter-Christian and interreligious relations.

That same day, the official website of the UOC/MP reported that Metropolitan Vladimir and Patriarch Kirill Gundayev of Moscow and all the Russias chatted over the phone. Metropolitan Vladimir gave Easter and Victory Day greetings to Patriarch Kirill, and they discussed Church affairs and the latest Holy Synod meeting. Patriarch Kirill wished Metropolitan Vladimir health and success in all his forthcoming endeavours, saying, “You’re a peacemaker; more than ever, the Church needs you”.

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The official website of the UOC/MP reported that Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine left Oberig Universal Clinic, where he underwent treatment and rehabilitation. His health is stable, allowing him to return to work, participate in church activities, meetings, and public affairs. An official statement noted, “For some time after discharge, Metropolitan Vladimir will be under a doctor’s care, and he will periodically undergo further stages of physical rehabilitation in a rehabilitation centre”. Metropolitan Vladimir entered hospital on 30 October 2011 in serious condition due to complications arising from Parkinson’s disease. Leading Ukrainian and foreign specialists participated in his care. On 8 May, for the first time since his hospitalisation, a UOC/MP Holy Synod took place under Metropolitan Vladimir’s chairmanship.

10/11 May 2012

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=45436

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=45456

Editor’s Note:

It’s clear from the above that Vladyki Vladimir’s still quite frail. The arrangements for a temporary chairman of the Synod are merely “suspended”, not “annulled”, and it’s clear that Archbishop Mitrofan Yurchuk will be taking over most of his public duties. In sort, Vladyki’s still physically-weak, much as Metropolitan Laurus Škurla was in his last years… in this case, the UOC/MP WILL see to it that he rests, so, God willing, Vladyki will be with us for some time yet.

BMD