BOSTON – A battle, if not war, has broken out between the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow and the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the day approaches when Patriarch Bartholomew will present the Patriarchal Tomos of Autocephaly to the newly elected Metropolitan Epiphanios of the Unified Orthodox Church of Ukraine on the Sunday of Epiphany January 6, 2019.
Epiphanios is scheduled to arrive at the Phanar in Constantinople on Saturday January 5, where he will be received for the first time by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is also expected to travel to Constantinople to be present at the historic ceremony of the signing and granting of the Tomos of Autocephaly.
Patriarch Bartholomew recently sent letters to all the prelates of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches around the world announcing the election of Metropolitan Epiphanios as the first prelate of the unified Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, in a reply to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, wrote that “the unification of the schismatic with the Church would have been a great joy for the Orthodox Ukraine and for the whole world if it were done according to rule of justice, peace, and love of Christ. But the current politicized process of imposed unification is very far from the holy canons and the spirit of the canons.”
Patriarch Kirill also wrote “I appeal to you for the last time in front of the entire Orthodox Church, please reverse your decision of the communion with schismatics and refuse to participate in a political [adventure] regarding their legalization”.
In the meantime, Bartholomew has rejected allegations by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week that his main motive for granting independence to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the Russian Church is to “start profiting from it.”
The Patriarch jokingly told parents and children who visited him at the Phanar on Christmas Eve to sign the carols that “although the Russian Church is accusing me of taking money to grant autocephaly, in reality I didn’t take money but lots of candy and chocolates from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s factory.”
Bartholomew’s decision to grand Autocephaly to Ukraine has upset relations with the Moscow Patriarchate which has severed ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a result, by cutting off the Eucharistic communion with it.
Patriarch Bartholomew speaking on New Year’s Day at the Phanar to a number of hierarchs, priests and visitors during the cutting of Vasilopita, characterized the granting of Autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as “a historic decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate which is met with reactions, but the Mother Church goes ahead unswayed in its mission as the First Throne Church of Orthodoxy.”
The Patriarch announced the upcoming visit of Metropolitan Epiphanios of the newly unified Orthodox Church of Ukraine. They will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy and after the Gospel reading Patriarch Bartholomew will officially hand over the Tomos (document) of Autocephaly. The blessing of the waters will follow with Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Epiphanios officiating.
In a recent lengthy article, the New York Times made detailed references to the ecclesiastical issues of Moscow and Ukraine and the process towards autocephaly undertaken by Constantinople.
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