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Putin warns of consequences over Orthodox split
MOSCOW, Oct 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on
Wednesday warned of “the most serious consequences” over splits in the
Orthodox church after Ukraine was granted the right to form an independent
church, enraging Russia.
For the first time, Putin commented on the unprecedented religious feud
that saw the Russian Orthodox Church break ties with Orthodoxy’s mother
Church Constantinople.
“I want to stress one thing: politicking such a sensitive sphere always
leads to the most serious consequences, especially for those who do it,” he
said, speaking at a forum gathering representatives of the Russian diaspora
in Moscow.
Putin, who has overseen the growing authority of the Orthodox church in
Russia and who has close ties to religious leader Patriarch Kirill, said
there are “attempts to break the bonds” between the Russian church and
believers abroad.
“Our common duty, above all for the people, is to preserve spiritual and
historical unity,” he added.
The leading authority in Orthodox Christianity, the Ecumenical Patriarchate
of Constantinople, earlier this month granted the right of autonomy to the
Ukrainian church, which for more than 300 years has been under Moscow’s
control.
Patriarch Kirill refused to recognise the decision, blasting the
Constantinople church as “schismatic” and accusing it of “violating all
rules.”
The move will likely reduce Russian influence in Ukraine, where Moscow has
backed separatists in the country’s east and annexed Crimea in 2014.
Most of the Orthodox parishes in Ukraine have historically been under the
umbrella of the Moscow Patriarchate, and many of these may eventually switch
to the new independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, despite Moscow’s warnings.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1828 hrs