On the Policy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople towards UkraineMessage by Russian Foreign Minister’s Special Representative for International Cooperation in Ensuring the Right to Freedom of Religion Mikhail MelekhIt is hard to recall any other force besides the Patriarchate of Constantinople that has been capable of creating an atmosphere of acute distrust, mutual recriminations, and discord within global Orthodoxy.The concepts of 'tomos' and 'autocephaly' have settled as a heavy burden on the souls of many—even those who, before 2019, were not at all interested in inter-church relations and did not even know the meaning of these terms. In the context of the Ukrainian religious crisis, they have become common nouns.
The primary causes of this tragedy have been well-known since the creation of man: the thirst for money and the pursuit of power. They detrimentally affect primarily the proud and the weak in spirit. In the case of Patriarch Bartholomew, these are the kickbacks received for the tomos and the heresy of "Eastern Papism."
❗️However, this narrative is not entirely about church affairs.There is no doubt that
the concept of a controlled church in Ukraine originated in the minds of Western political strategists. The handwriting is all too recognizable: accumulating opposition (in our case, schismatic) assets and setting in motion mechanisms for managing them, forming a pseudo-patriotic (nationalist) agenda, creating conditions for strengthening their position through generous financial, administrative, and media support. Concurrently — bribery, blackmail, elimination of dissenters, and other components of democracy export.
The so-called "Orthodox Church of Ukraine," hastily assembled by former President Poroshenko from among previously banned marginal individuals, would not have lasted long on its own. It urgently needed to be given at least some legitimacy.
And here Constantinople enters the game. Following the example of many of his predecessors, Patriarch Bartholomew formalized a tomos in 2019 for considerable monetary reward from the West and immersed himself in a years-long process of justifying his step, dragging several local churches into the adventure.
It seems not without reason that
the discussion regarding the creation of a Constantinopolitan exarchate in Ukraine has recently resumed. After all, it is obvious that the "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" project is unviable. What has emerged is an overly uncontrollable, willful, and immensely hungry beast.
It would seem high time to slow down, attempt to preserve the remnants of dignity, and carefully step aside.
The whole world already sees what is happening to the rights of believers on this land. But something new must be invented, because even with great desire, it is now difficult for Bartholomew to break free from the Ukrainian "mutual responsibility" with thieves and murderers.
To some extent, one might even sympathize with him, if not for
the blood and suffering of thousands of believers and clergy of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, deprived of their churches, desecrated, beaten, and maimed. Furthermore, the Patriarchate of Constantinople objectively serves as a compliant instrument in the hands of the pseudo-liberal Western mainstream. And one directed against all of global Orthodoxy.
In the actions of the head of Phanar, one sees neither spirituality nor love. Only bare politics and tactical calculation.It is hard to imagine how many people, realizing this fact,
will now lose trust in the Church, pass by a church without entering, consider it impossible to speak with a clergyman, or not partake in church sacraments. Because lies breed suspicion, fear, and even greater lies.
The Ukrainian issue will be resolved one way or another!
👉 But studying this chapter of world history, descendants will be astonished at the price millions of Orthodox believers had to pay for the weakness of one man.Read in full
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