R.P.Ts. SYNOD: "UNILATERAL" CHANGES OF U.P.Ts.M.P. STATUS MAY LEAD TO NEW SCHISM WITHIN IT
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (RPTs), which was held today, 7 June, in Moscow declared that the arbitrary actions for changing the UPTsMP (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) may lead to the appearance of a new schism within it. This is reported by Pravoslavnaya Zhizn.
After discussing the development of the situation following the Local Council of the UPTsMP that was held in Kiev, the Synod of the Russian church resolved:
"To recall that a decision regarding a change in the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may be made only within the framework of canonical procedure, including the resolution of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"To note that unilateral actions for changing the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may lead to the appearance of a new schism within it. Attention has also been called to this by the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which in its statement of 12 May 2022 pointed out that any discussions pertaining to the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church must be conducted within the borders of the canonical field and must not lead to new divisions in the church."
The Russian bishops also called clergy and
laity to fervent
prayer for maintaining ecclesiastical unity. (tr. by PDS, posted
8 June 2022)
SYNOD OF MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE REMINDS U.P.Ts. THAT ONLY A LOCAL COUNCIL HAS RIGHT TO CHANGE ITS STATUS
Interfax-Religiia, 7 June 2022
The Holy Synod at a session in Moscow on Tuesday called the attention of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the fact that its status may be changed only by a Local Council of the Moscow patriarchate.
On 27 May, the Council of the UPTs expressed its disagreement with the position of Patriarch Kirill regarding the special military operation of the R.F. in Ukraine, and it adopted changes in its charter, which, as was announced, make the UPTs independent. It was later learned that not all dioceses, specifically the dioceses of Donetsk, Gorlovka, and Crimea, supported the amendments in the UPTs charter and, consequently, the independent status does not pertain to the whole Ukrainian church.
"A decision regarding a change in the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may be made only within the framework of canonical procedure, including an order of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church," the minutes of today's Synod session say.
At the same time, it was stressed that the "unilateral actions" for changing the status of the UPTs may lead to the appearance of a new schism within it. The Synod of the UPTs also called attention to this when it pointed out in its statement of 12 May 2022 that any discussions pertaining to the life of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church must proceed within the framework of the canonical field and must not lead to new divisions.
The Synod in Moscow noted "with great sorrow" the maintenance of pressure on bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity of the UPTs on the part of representatives of the Ukrainian governing authorities and the extremist-minded portion of Ukrainian society.
The Synod expressed its support for all bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity of the UPTs who, "realizing the necessity of observing the canonical structure," continue to commemorate the Moscow patriarch in the divine liturgy.
All bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity were called by the Synod to "fervent prayer" for maintaining ecclesiastical unity. (tr. by PDS, posted 8 June 2022)
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