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Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate\u2019s Department for External Church Relations, arrived in Istanbul on August 20th, where he met with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.<\/p><\/div>\n

Source: Orthodox News<\/a> | by Theodore Kalmoukos<\/p>\n

BOSTON- The Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow issued a “warning” to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and of the Primates of the ancient Orthodox Patriarchates who met as a Synaxis in Constantinople September 1-3 and which included the Archbishop of Cyprus. The hierarchs addressed issues facing Orthodox Christians in the Middle East, as well as the preparations of the long-awaited Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n

The fact that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew did not also invite the Patriarchs and Primates of the other Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches of the Orthodox World bothered the Russian Patriarchate as well as the Patriarchate of Romania and others. The Patriarchate of Moscow sent its head of the External Affairs Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk to alert Patriarchs Ignatios of Antioch, Theofilos of Jerusalem, Daniel of Romania, and even the Ecumenical Patriarch that it was wrong that only the four ancient Patriarchates and the Church of Cyprus were invited to the Synaxis and the rest of Orthodoxy was excluded.<\/p>\n

In an exclusive interview with The National Herald Metropolitan Hilarion warned Patriarch Bartholomew and the four other Prelates “not to take any decisions that will threaten the unity of Orthodoxy.” The Orthodox Church of Russia numbers 150 million faithful in and out of Russia. Within the State of Russia there are 100 million communicants, 222 hierarchs, 150 Metropolises, 30,000 parishes, 30,000 priests and 800 Monasteries.<\/p>\n

In the Synaxis at the Phanar Patriarchs Theodoros of Alexandria, Theofilos of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus participated in person while Patriarch Ignatios of Antioch was represented by Bishop Isaac of Apameia. Patriarch Ignatios of Antioch canceled his participation in person at the last minute after he received a visit from Metropolitan Hilarion.<\/p>\n

The interview with Metropolitan Hilarion follows:<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> What are the thoughts and the positions of the Patriarchate of Moscow concerning the Synaxis?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> I was told by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch that this was to be a Synaxis dedicated to assess the Middle East where the situation for Christians is becoming increasingly difficult.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> It was also announced that they will be discussing preparations of the future Great and Sacred Council of Orthodoxy. Do you have any comment?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> Any formal decisions concerning the upcoming Great and Holy Council will be taken by all Orthodox Churches, not by a particular group of Churches.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> Is the Patriarchate of Moscow disturbed because Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew invited only the Primates of the ancient Patriarchates and not all of the Patriarchates?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> We regard this as a local meeting. There were other meetings recently. For example, the Patriarch of Jerusalem invited the Patriarch of Antioch and Archbishop of Cyprus and the representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, they met in Jordan and they discussed various issues.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> But what about the issues of Ecclesiology and Canonicity? How do the other Patriarchs you have spoken to feel about it?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> As I said, any form of decision which relates to the Orthodox Church in general can only be taken by the all the Orthodox churches together. Any kind of informal discussion, however, is possible among two or three or more churches.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> Let us be clear: Assuming that this Synaxis arrives at certain conclusions about ecclesiology – the canonicity of Diaspora churches, the Diptychs, etc. – will the Patriarchate of Moscow recognize those discussions or not?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> There is no mechanism for the recognition of the decisions of a particular group of churches by some other church, so, I believe that if they come to certain decisions they will bring them in front of all the other churches and if they are adopted by all the churches then it will become a reality for the Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> What did you tell the Patriarchs of Antioch and Romania?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> I do not think that I should disclose the content of my bilateral conversations with the Patriarch of Antioch or with the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Certainly we discussed first and foremost the bilateral relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and their churches. Also matters of inter-Orthodox concern were discussed and we shared our opinions about them.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> Do you think that the new Patriarchates of Moscow, Romania, Bulgaria and others will organize an anti-Synaxis?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> I believe that first of all we should wait for the decisions. After that we will see what type of strategy we will adopt. But I would like to respect what I was told by the Ecumenical Patriarch that they would discuss the situation of the Middle East, which I expect was the main topic of discussion.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> Why do you think Patriarch Ignatios of Antioch did not go in person to the Synaxis?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> That I do not know.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> What is your best wish for the Synaxis?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> We are coming closer to the Great and Hlly Council of the Orthodox Church and I very much hope that all the churches will do what unites us rather than what may potentially divide us.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> How are the relations between the Patriarchate of Moscow and the Ecumenical Patriarchate?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> I think the relations are very good both on the personal level between the two Patriarchs and also on the official level.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> What is the position of the Patriarchate of Moscow on the issue of the Orthodox Diaspora?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> In the Russian Orthodox Church we believe that in the Diaspora it is possible to establish Canonical Orthodox Churches if there is agreement in the Orthodox populations of the particular countries. On this basis we granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in America in 1970. But now the Orthodox churches are coming closer together and we are commonly decided that the granting of autocephaly should be a matter of Panorthodox concern and that Tomes of Autocephaly should be signed by all the Primates of All the Orthodox Churches. In fact we agreed on a different model from that which existed before. We also agreed to establish Episcopal Assemblies in the Diaspora to facilitate cooperation among the different jurisdictions.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> With this new decision are you saying that the Ecumenical Patriarchate no longer has the historical and canonical privilege of being the only one to grant Autocephaly?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> This seems to be the consensus of all the representatives of all the Orthodox churches, that autocephaly should be granted with the agreement of all the Orthodox Churches. It can be proclaimed by the Ecumenical Patriarch, but the Tome will be signed by all the Primates.<\/p>\n

TNH:<\/strong> A final word about the Synaxis?<\/p>\n

Hilarion:<\/strong> Let us see what the results will be and I very much hope that there will be nothing that may create disunity between the Churches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"