Ukraine Orthodox Church granted independence from Russian Church

[muriel_volestrangler]

The recently formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been granted independence, marking a historic split from the Russian Church.

The Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul, Turkey - the head of the global Orthodox Church - has signed a document giving "autocephaly" or independence.
...
Ukraine's churches have for centuries been under the authority of the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow.
...
Upset at losing its Ukrainian parishes, the Russian Orthodox Church - which is the world's largest - has already cut ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual authority of the world's Orthodox church after it recognised the Ukrainian Church's independence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46768270

Much politics involved in this, of course - the Ukrainian president was at the ceremony.

[comradebillyboy]

1. It amazes me that the Orthodox Patriarch

is still in Istanbul. In fact the Turks conquered Constantinople in the 15th century but the Orthodox patriarch never moved. So the head of orthodox Christianity resides in a nation where about 97% of the population is Muslim.

[sprinkleeninow]

3. And?

[sprinkleeninow]

2. Thanks for your post contribution.

Do you have a take on this? Comments?

I am 'participating' [to the best of my ability] in my Orthodox Faith so I do have an interest in others' thinking about this happening.

The OCA [Orthodox Church in America] is recognized as having autocephaly. Was granted this awhile back. Although not under Bartholomeo and Constantinople.

[comradebillyboy]

4. One rarely see news about the Orthodox church so it is

interesting to see the internal frictions that exist. It isn't totally clear to me how the various Orthodox entities fit together. And it struck me as incongruous that the Eastern Orthodox Church is headquartered in a Muslim country where it's activities are carefully regulated by the government.

Otherwise it's not too surprising that the Ukrainian church would want to split from the Russian church.

[sprinkleeninow]

5. When one is 'chrismated'/baptized in the Faith, one may communicate at an Orthodox

Church whether in 'native' location or elsewhere.
Should be primarily 'canonical'.
Most Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions have 'familial' reciprocity, for lack of a better description on my part.

My parents 'presented' me to Orthodoxy in a Carpatho-Russian parish/church community. Have subsequently communicated in a Greek Church, and then OCA.

I sang in the choir of my 'mother' church. Mostly the services in Slavonic. The younguns favored the Liturgy in English.

Then husband and I sang the services at the Greek Church. Their melodies, intonations plus the the language sent me to the heavens! So loved.

Now it's mostly English in the OCA. Except one hymn here or there in Slavonic. At Pascha we sing "Christ is Risen" in a multitude of languages.

[sprinkleeninow]

6. There may have been consideration from time to time regarding a relocation of the Ecumenical

Patriarchate, but it wasn't to be. Where should it be relocated to? Europe, Canada, the USofA?

I only know so much. I have enuff to consider regarding practicing my Faith alone as it were. Just when you assume you got it down pat/got a handle on it--surprise!

[sprinkleeninow]

7. Hoo boy, it's one of those Saturdays here in our household!

Yes, it stands to reason the Ukraine wish to depart from under the Russian jurisdiction.
As I understand it's been a long one. We have close Ukrainian friends.