Patriarch Receives Moscow-Subordinated Reps of Ukrainian Church

The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, hosted the representatives of the Ukrainian Church which is subordinated to Russia.

The Georgian Patriarchate said the sides discussed the issue of the autocephaly of Ukraine, obtained by the country in early January.

The delegation was led by the Head of the Foreign Department of the Moscow-subordinated Ukrainian Church, Metropolitan of Borispol and Brovarsky - Anton.

From the Georgian side, the meeting was attended by the Patriarch, his locum-tenens Metropolitan Shio, archbishops and other clergy.

The Patriarchate says the meeting was unofficial and the purpose of the visit was to provide the Georgian side with information on the developments in Ukraine and its Church.

“It was said that after the transfer of the Tomos in various churches and regions, there is often a conflict between believers, which leads to great controversy in the parish and the clergy,” the statement reads.

The Georgian Church reports that Ilia II "thanked the guests and once again expressed his concern about the situation."

“He also called on the guests to intensify prayer in order to solve the problem and keep the unity of the Orthodox people,” the Patriarchate added.

In late January, the Georgian Patriarch also received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

French Mitropolitan Emmanuel, a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, stated after the meeting that it was a ‘friendly meeting between friend churches,’ where the main topic was the recent developments in the Ukrainian Church.

Mitropolitan Emmanuel said that the purpose of the meeting was not to put pressure or to influence but rather it was of an informative nature and talks focused on various common issues concerning the Orthodox churches.

The Georgian Patriarchate reported that the initiator of the visit was Constantinople, adding the Georgian Patriarch is in no hurry to make a decision about the Ukrainian Church as the issue is so sensitive.

“The sides agreed that everyone should take care of the Orthodox people, and rushing on the topic of Ukraine will not bring happiness,” the Georgian Patriarchate stated.

Ukraine’s Church gained independence from Russia when World Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos on autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church on January 5.

The Ukrainian Church had been under Moscow’s jurisdiction since 1686, when, under pressure from Russia, it abandoned allegiance to Constantinople, the historical seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church, now known as Istanbul.

The Tomos declares that the Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, representing the Holy Synod of Ukrainian bishops, should turn to the Patriarchate of Constantinople for all decisions in future.

A group of Georgian citizens, part of the opposition parties and some clerics called on the Patriarchate of Georgia to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Church from Moscow and to congratulate the friend-state on its important achievement.

In mid-February, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin, stated that Georgia's recognition of the Ukrainian Church autocephaly is just "a matter of time."

“We believe we will gradually gain recognition from all Orthodox Churches...I am 100% convinced that we will get recognition and of course the Georgian Church is among them,” he said.

By Thea Morrison

Image source: Patriarchate of Georgia