Update on internecine discord in Ukraine

I post on the Ukrainian situation on occasion and often forget to give any context. The UOC-MP is the universally recognized body tied to Moscow. The UAOC and UOC-KP are not and have not unified because of conflicts in a few areas (chiefly the UAOC request for the removal of the UOC-KP patriarch as a precondition).

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(RISU) - Last week in an interview to Kp.ua, the Administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) Metropolitan Antonii (Pakanych) of Boryspil spoke about the prospects of the dialogue with the Kyivan Patriarchate, Religion.in.ua reported.

In his interview, Metropolitan Antonii stressed that the UOC-MP is prepared to carry on the dialogue with the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and that the UOC-MP “now has an official dialogue with the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.” He admitted that no dialogue with the Kyiv Patriarchate has been launched and that “only consultations were conducted on a possible format of the dialogue.”

In answer to the question “why it was not possible even to start a dialogue with the Kyivan Patriarchate,” Metropolitan Antonii answered, “Many ordinary members of our church still remember the conflicts of 1990s, the struggle for church buildings, clashes between communities including the attempt to seize the Kyiv Cave Monastery. This considerably complicates the preparation of the dialogue. In addition, there are serious differences between our church and the Kyivan Patriarchate regarding possible ways of overcoming the divide. Our church insists that all those who deliberately broke the connection with the world Orthodoxy should repent and return to the church communication. However, the Kyivan Patriarchate does not admit its guilt in the tragedy of the church divide. But despite these difficulties, we believe that the Lord will open to us ways to overcome the church divide in Ukraine.”

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Orientale Lumen Conferences scheduled

More information available here.

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The Orientale Lumen Conference agenda provides a balance of three components: a variety of prayer services for the soul, plenary speeches by leading theologians and ecumenists for the mind, and opportunities for fellowship for the heart. Attendees include lay persons, clergy, theologians, and church leaders who interact on an informal basis and learn from each other's traditions.

Orientale Lumen XVII - Washington, DC - June 17-20, 2013

"Vision of a Reunited Church"

Plenary Speakers

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Oxford

Archbishop Cyril Vasil' (invited)
Congregation for Eastern Churches, The Vatican

Metropolitan Christopher (invited)
Orthodox Church of the Czech
and Slovak Lands, Prague

Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin
University of Vienna, Austria

Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo
Institute of Catholic Culture, McLean, VA

Dr. Sebastian Carnazzo
Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Denton, NE

Msgr. George Dobes (Moderator)
Military Chaplains Association, Washington, DC

Orientale Lumen EuroEast IV - Bratislava, Slovakia - July 8-11, 2013

"Saints Cyril and Methodius: Mission and Unity"

Plenary Speakers

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Oxford

Archbishop Cyril Vasil' (invited)
Congregation for Eastern Churches, The Vatican

Metropolitan Christopher (invited)
Orthodox Church of the Czech
and Slovak Lands, Prague

Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin
University of Vienna, Austria

Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo
Institute of Catholic Culture, McLean, VA

Dr. Sebastian Carnazzo
Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Denton, NE

Msgr. George Dobes (Moderator)
Military Chaplains Association, Washington, DC

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Orthodox delegations in Rome for papal inauguration mass

Here is who attended per the official documents. I'll add stories for each group as they become available.

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Ecumenical Patriarchate
His All Holiness BARTHOLOMEW (Ecumenical Patriarch)
His Eminence Metropolitan GENNADIOS
His Eminence JOHN (Metropolitan of Pergamon)
His Eminence Metropolitan TARASIOS
Mr Karlos Irakli TARINAS

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa
His Eminence Archbishop SERAPHIM

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
His Eminence Metropolitan SILUAN

Russian Orthodox Church
His Eminence Metropolitan HILARION
His Excellency Bishop SERGY
Hieromonk ANTONIY

Patriarchate of Georgia
His Eminence Metropolitan GERASIME
Reverend Father Gia ZVIADADZE
Reverend Father IOANE

Serbian Orthodox Church
His Eminence Metropolitan AMFILOHIJE
Protopresbyter Obren JOVANOVIC
Protodeacon Igor BALABAN

Patriarchate of Romania
His Eminence Metropolitan IOSIF
His Grace SILUAN
Revd Deacon EFREM

Orthodox Church of Cyprus
His Eminence Metropolitan NIKIFOROS
His Eminence Metropolitan ISAIAS

Orthodox Church of Greece
His Grace Bishop DIONYSIOS
Most Reverend Archimandrite IGNATIOS

Orthodox Church of Albania
His Eminence Metropolitan JOHN

Ukrainian Orthodox Church
His Eminence Metropolitan PLATON
His Eminence Metropolitan ANTONIY
Revd Archimandrite FILIPP

Orthodox Church in America
His Eminence Metropolitan TIKHON
Revd Father Eric TOSI


Updates

Russian Orthodox Church

(mospat.ru) - On 18 March 2013, a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate headed by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), arrived in Rome to attend the enthronement of Pope Francis. The DECR chairman and Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administrative Secretariat were met at the airport by the Rev. Milan Žust of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and hieromonk Antoniy (Sevryuk), rector of the Church of St. Catherine in Rome and secretary of the administration of the Moscow Patriarchate’s parishes in Italy.

Members of the delegation were accommodated at the House of St. Martha, where the new Pope is residing. A short meeting with Pope Francis took place at the refectory. The Pope warmly greeted Metropolitan Hilarion who introduced members of the delegation and conveyed cordial best wishes to Pope Francis from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The Pope said that he had offered special prayers for Patriarch Kirill at the divine service as it is a commemoration day of St. Cyril of Jerusalem according to the Julian calendar. He thanked Metropolitan Hilarion for the exhibition of Russian icons held in Buenos Aires last autumn with the St. Gregory the Theologian Charity Foundation’s assistance. The future Pope visited the exhibition and keeps warm recollections of it.

The DECR chairman greeted other guests who arrived in Rome to attend the enthronement: Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Metropolitans John of Pergamon and Emmanuel of France (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral (Serbian Orthodox Church), John of Korça (Albanian Orthodox Church), and Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna.

Attending the enthronement of Pope Francis as honorary guests will also be Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol, chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and Metropolitan Platon of Feodosia and Kerch, who served in Argentina during many years and was well acquainted with the new Pope.

Orthodox Church in America

(OCA) - As word comes in from Metropolitan Tikhon or Father Eric we’ll update you, but already we have a few of Father Eric’s photos sent earlier this morning from Rome. In the meantime, I was up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the CNN coverage of the inaugural Mass from Saint Peter’s Square. 100,000-200,000 worshippers and pilgrims from around the world, political leaders (including VP Joseph Biden), representatives of other religions and churches. Some 500 priests distributed communion to the crowd. During the Mass Pope Francis exchanged the kiss of peace with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Armenian Catholicos Karekin II. I caught a glimpse of Metropolitan Tikhon standing with the other Orthodox bishops in a section next to the vested concelebrating Roman Catholic cardinals and bishops.

The Pope’s sermon after the Gospel (Matthew 1:16, 18-21,24a, read in Greek)—for the feast of Saint Joseph “the betrothed” emphasized Joseph’s role as protector, and drew out the message that we are all called to be protectors, custodians, stewards of one another, especially of the weakest among us and God’s creation (a theme that would resonate well with Patriarch Bartholomew, known as the “Green Patriarch” for his dedication to care for the environment.) He also spoke of protecting our hearts—fitting for the spiritual effort of Great Lent—since this is where actions good and bad have their seeds and take root.

At the close of the outdoor Mass, Pope Francis went back into Saint Peter’s Basilica and prayed before the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. Whatever differences still exist between us, it is gratifying to see Orthodox and Catholics coming together around the apostolic faith in the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, whom Saint Peter witnessed, preached and died for.

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The UK: canary in the coal mine.

The UK (and the EU more generally) is often a good indicator of how things can proceed, if unobstructed, in the US. Metropolitan Jonah warned his flock about where things would go if things they were left to fly on their current trajectory. Hopefully this bird strike will catch someone's attention.

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(Christian Institute) - A local council has been accused of trying to edge out school chaplains, with its Deputy Leader wanting to keep out chaplains who back traditional marriage.

Scottish Borders Council Deputy Leader Catriona Bhatia raised concerns about chaplains who may be “anti-gay marriage”.

She insisted that religions are entitled to their views about traditional marriage, but they should not be introduced in schools.

’Stay away’

She said: “Parents may be comfortable with religious observance around Christmas, but a particular chaplain may be anti-gay marriage and introduce that into their service.

“How do we know what the content will be of the chaplain’s service? Some chaplains will stay away from issues such as that (gay marriage), but others may sway into it.

“Some religions have different rules and they are entitled to that, but they should not be introduced in our schools.”

Undesirable

The Scottish Borders Council denies that it is trying to silence chaplains, but its education committee did pass new guidelines.

The guidelines say that the “more traditional role of the chaplain may not prove desirable”.

Cllr Sandy Aitchison said more power is being given to head teachers so that they can control how religious observance is handled in a multicultural and largely secular society.

Kicked out

The civil liberties of public sector chaplains will be put at risk if marriage gets redefined.

Already, a police chaplain who voiced support for traditional marriage has been kicked out of Strathclyde Police.

The civil liberty concerns have been raised by leading human rights lawyers and the Scotland for Marriage campaign group.

Outcast

A Scotland for Marriage spokesman said: “If gay marriage becomes law, anyone who believes in traditional marriage will be treated like an outcast.”

He added: “Local councils, with political correctness surging through their veins, will be poised ready to stomp on anyone that disagrees.”

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A video on the bright line of division

H/T: St. Elias blog

I'll leave the odd flute music to the side before I go further, but let me say that the very reason Pat. Sviatoslav believes the new Pope of Rome will be ecumenical is the very same reason the Orthodox (especially the Slav) Churches are not coming to the table. Regardless of your take on the Eastern Catholic Churches, one must admit that they are a point of contention between the two sides; the bridge-building theory has not fared the test of time well. The Major Archbishop (so named in no small part as to not cause further issues by calling him a Patriarch even if he enjoys almost all the same powers and responsibilities) will be joined with representatives of the OCA (Met. Tikhon), Constantinople (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew), Moscow (Met. Hilarion), and other Orthodox hierarchs.

Some see this as ludicrous elbow rubbing with heretics while others see it as another step towards unity. Time will tell.

Returning to the flute music I am forced to ask why in the world would they use it? Given a millennia of musical resources to choose from both East and West, a flute solo seems better suited to.. well... anything else.

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Kristen Stewart explains St. Patrick's Day

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Ten Lenten tips

From the blog Charming the Birds from the Trees, some helpful tips for Lent.

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1. Regardless of how you fast, fast every single day. This type of fasting helps wear down the passions and build spiritual endurance.
2. Know exactly what the fasting regulations are and try to approximate them as best you can. Each Lent, try to be more strict yet humble.
3. Particular concerns about fasting? Age, health issues, never fasted before, mixed-marriages? Speak with your priest.
4. Be sure to recite the Lenten prayer of Saint Ephraim. If you cannot make prostrations just make bows or cross yourself.
5. On weekends, we do not make prostrations and our fasting is slightly relaxed since Saturday and Sunday are holy days.
6. The Lenten services and tones are offered only during the week –
   strive to participate as much as possible in these services and the spirit of lent will rub off on you.
7. Sports and outdoor activities are not contrary to the Lenten spirit.
8. Strive to avoid going to movies, parties, vacations, and other entertainments. This we do so we can have more time to devote to spiritual things.
9. Confession and Holy Communion are central to securing the benefits of Lent. Without fail, we should receive the Sacraments during the period of Great Lent.
10. Be mindful of what we look at and how much time we spend on TV and computer. Some give up TV for all of Lent. Others strictly limit their time and watch only educational and news programs. Surfing on the web? Hit the theological sites.

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