Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev withdrew his name from consideration in the upcoming election to choose a new Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias. This became known just a week before the convening of the Local Council, which will elect the new First Hierarch of the Moscow Patriarchate. The sessions of the Council will be held in Moscow from 27 to 29 January. This announcement by Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev riveted the attention of not only believers, but, also, those who are more interested in politics than in religion. There are reasons for this fact. Without a doubt, for many years, religious life in the Ukraine has been anything but calm. Worldly affairs are the main culprit in this, that is, nationalist politics, which sought, as much as possible, to distance the Ukraine from Russia. Sadly, the nationalists were not shy in embroiling faith and religion in their designs. For example, part of the Ukrainian élite, led by President Yushchenko, has long supported schismatic factions within Ukrainian Orthodoxy and tried repeatedly to separate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church/MP (UOC/MP) from the Moscow Patriarchate. Today, there are three Orthodox bodies in the Ukraine. Only one, the UOC/MP, is canonical and recognised by the other Local Orthodox Churches in the world. The other two are nothing but schismatic groups. They agitate for an autocephalous Ukrainian Church independent of the MP, and are even willing to involve the Ecumenical Patriarchate in their plots.
The threat of a schism’s very real. However, an important event occurred this summer. Whilst taking part in the events marking the 1,020th anniversary of the baptism of Russia, which were widely celebrated in Kiev, the late Patriarch Aleksei Rediger of Moscow and all the Russias managed to prevent a schism in the Church. When he was in the Ukraine, he met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Then, the two First Hierarchs came to an agreement not to allow a schism in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. However, after the death of Patriarch Aleksei on 5 December 2008, the political leadership of the Ukraine decided to re-assert their demand for a autocephalous Orthodox Church in the Ukraine. It’s possible that clamorous declarations shall be made during the time of the upcoming Local Council. According to Kirill Frolov, the head of the Ukrainian Department of the Institute of the CIS, “Metropolitan Vladimir’s withdrawal from the election for the First Hierarch of the MP changes everything. His Beatitude disrupted their plans by his refusal to stand as a candidate for the post of Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias. Moreover, he proposed no other figure from the Ukraine to take his place as a candidate. Thus, he foiled the plan of some in the Ukrainian leadership to nominate a single Ukrainian candidate for the post of Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias. He did it in such a way that the nationalists couldn’t take public offence. Thus, now, there’s no ‘Ukrainian’ candidate. Therefore, there’ll be no ill-effects in the UOC/MP due to the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias”.
What’s connected with the withdrawal of Metropolitan Vladimir? The Metropolitan, indicating that some saw him as a likely successor to Patriarch Aleksei, said, “Thank you for such a high honour, but, I wish to appear before God as the Metropolitan of Kiev. The Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias shall be someone whom God’s going to name and you’re going to choose him”. Some explain the decision of the Metropolitan by saying that he didn’t want to participate in political games. In addition, in doing so, Metropolitan Vladimir’s trying to preserve the unity of Orthodoxy in the Ukraine. In the opinion of Professor Frolov, “The Ukrainian hierarchy understands that the patriarch mustn’t be selected on the basis of nationality or ethnicity, but on the basis of his fitness for the historical tasks facing the MP. These historical tasks are the preservation and ingathering of historical Russia, and the returning of all of our people to the bosom of Orthodoxy, by going forth into the world beyond the church gate. It’s a global mission, both domestically and in the international arena. Besides, we must have a dialogue of equals with the other world religions. We’ll not take a subordinate role to anyone. The Orthodox Church in Russia should be evaluated by others as an influential world force, not as a local ethnic religion”. Today, the future of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy largely depends on who will become the new First Hierarch of the MP. However, the withdrawal of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev gives reason to hope that a schism within the MP won’t happen. If he remains at his post, the chief hierarch of Kiev would continue to defend the ideal of church unity.
21 January 2009
Yekaterina Antropova
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=98778&cid=22&p=21.01.2009
Editor’s Note:
Mark well that Vladimir doesn’t indicate, in any way, how he’ll steer the votes of his influential bloc. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn, that is, conclusions with a basis in fact, not bootless speculation. Vladimir continues to smile the smile of the Mona Lisa… enigmatic, yet, full of purpose. Only time shall tell us the full import of this… prepare to be surprised.
BMD
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