• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Thursday, May 26, 2022
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Archbishop of America: Moscow Patriarchate maintains much of the contours of the old Soviet Union

Jul 16, 2021 | 20:06
in Archdiocese of America, FrontPage
Archbishop of America: Moscow Patriarchate maintains much of the contours of the old Soviet Union

The International Religious Freedom Summit, 2021, “The Rising Tide of Religious Nationalism”, was attended by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, whose references to the relations of the Russian Church with the Russian state, but also to the transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque in Constantinople impressed the crowd.

In his speech, he referred to “religious nationalism”, which, as he said, is only one side of the coin. There is also “Nationalistic Religion”.

Archbishop Elpidophoros underlined the case of the Russian Federation and the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church.

As the Archbishop explained, “even as the Russian Federation morphed into its present form, the newly freed Russian Orthodox Church struggled to rebuild its place in society. Its cooperation and support of the State have been a way to regain its former glories.

Yet, it is the state itself that has benefited from the “Religious Nationalism” created by the reborn Orthodox Church within its borders. Precisely because the Moscow Patriarchate maintains much of the contours of the old Soviet Union.

The close relationship between the state Foreign Ministry and the Church Department of External Relations is well known.

Through the networks of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian Federation is able to exert influence in the new nation-states that emerged after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Ukraine is a case in point, where a local Orthodox Church was established, legally and canonically, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, yet the Moscow Patriarchate continues to maintain its own entity.

This is clearly in the interests of the Russian Federation which benefits as much, if not more, from its “Religious Nationalism” as the Church does from its “Nationalistic Religion.”

It should be noted that Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, also participated in the same conference.

Read below the speech of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America:

“The Rising Tide of Religious Nationalism”

July 15, 2021
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC

Ambassador Brownback and President Swett:
Co-chairs for the 2021 IRF Summit,
Honorary Senate Co-Chairs, Senators Coons and Lankford,
Honorary House Co-Chairs, Congressmen Cuellar and Smith,
Esteemed Presenters, Fellow Participants, Dear Friends,

It is a great privilege to be with you today, and I want to express the appreciation of the Greek Orthodox Church of America – a province of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Mother Church of Eastern Christianity – for the exceptional work of the International Religious Freedom Summits. The partner and supporting entities bear witness to the inclusive and comprehensive nature of the vision for human liberty and freedom of conscience we seek to enhance around the globe.

I shall commence the subject of my remarks, with the following observation. “Religious Nationalism” is only one side of the coin. There is also “Nationalistic Religion.”

Much like the terms “Caesaropapism” and “Papocaesarism,” that described the tensions between political and ecclesial autocracies of centuries past, the interests of the State and those who desire some form of “theocracy” are seldom aligned.

The shoreline where these rising tides appear is a very long one, with diverse landscapes. Here in the United States, we have witnessed – especially in recent years – how independent religious bodies with charismatic leaders are using the public, political sphere to advance their own agendas. This is a clear case of “Nationalistic Religion,” where identity politics are incorporated into a religious entity in order to advance a religious agenda. Should such a tide rise to an undue influence – either in the legislative, judicial, or executive branches of government, it would challenge the very idea of the First Amendment, and the non-establishment clause concerning religion.

On the other hand, we could look at some aspects of modern Iran, and find a distinct brand of “Religious Nationalism,” a full-blown attempt at theocracy by a seeming majority. But to see a spiritual basis for the State is to create a stratification of society along religious lines, a spiritual apartheid, if you will. The result is a monolithic society unyielding to diversity.

When you elevate one religion above all others, it is as if you decide there is only one path leading to the top of the mountain. But the truth is you simply cannot see the myriads of paths that lead to the same destination, because you are surrounded by boulders of prejudice that obscure your view.

Finally, there is a hybrid of the two, as in the case of the Russian Federation and the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church. The painful history of the Church under the communist regime came to a sudden and stunning halt with the fall of the Iron Curtain.

However, even as the Russian Federation morphed into its present form, the newly freed Russian Orthodox Church struggled to rebuild its place in society. Its cooperation and support of the State has been a way to regain its former glories. Yet, it is the state itself that has benefited from the “Religious Nationalism” created by the reborn Orthodox Church within its borders. Precisely because the Moscow Patriarchate maintains much of the contours of the old Soviet Union. The close relationship between the state Foreign Ministry and the Church Department of External Relations is well known.

Through the networks of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian Federation is able to exert influence in the new nation-states that emerged after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Ukraine is a case in point, where a local Orthodox Church was established, legally and canonically, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, yet the Moscow Patriarchate continues to maintain its own entity. This is clearly in the interests of the Russian Federation which benefits as much, if not more, from its “Religious Nationalism” as the Church does from its “Nationalistic Religion.”
These few examples – painted in broad strokes – highlight the kinds of exigencies that we are facing. By promoting one religion above others, states create an oversized monolith in the public square that de facto (and sometimes de jure) excludes the citizenry who do not conform to that religious point of view.

For the religious entity, the material advantages of state-sponsorship should be far-outweighed by the cost to the ethical, moral, and spiritual core of the faith tradition – any faith tradition. To put it in specifically Christian terms: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Throughout history, every religious body has had to face the choice of ‘rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.’

So how do we overcome these tides that seem to inexorably rise over time?

First, we must confess that such monoliths are not consistent with a modern, pluralistic, and emergent world. Democracy still finds a way in the imagination of peoples who yearn for liberty. That is why the cultivation of indigenous democratic forms of government – not the imposition from without – is an answer for both the state and the religious culture. Because even a homogenous religious culture is dependent on the individual’s freedom, in order for faith to be genuine and not coercive.

Second, we can accept that the historical journeys of any people possess complex and complicated markers that, if respected, create seawalls that hold back the troubling and troublesome tides. Allow me to close with a recent and very relevant example from the nation of my birth.

Last year, in this very month of July, the most iconic edifice of Orthodox Christianity – the Hagia Sophia in modern Istanbul, had its status withdrawn and was re-converted into a mosque. This Church was the largest Church in the world in the first millennium of Christianity. The end of the Roman Empire in 1453 changed its use, as has happened throughout history to many religious edifices.

But when the Turkish state emerged a century ago, it was deemed that such a unique and potent symbol should emanate an inclusive message, one that served the interests of all the citizens. Thus, the Hagia Sophia became a museum. For the Orthodox Christian world, this was not the best solution, but it was a vision for a future that included the incredible historical journey of Anatolia, not just one phase of that journey. We see in this re-conversion how the tide rose. And we see in those that called this crisis out, the effort to stem the tide.

My fellow laborers in the field of human freedom and inclusivity, I have outlined only some of the shores against which the tides of “Religious Nationalism” and “Nationalistic Religion” are crashing. Our best seawalls are going to be built out of cooperative efforts to instill democracy and freedom of conscience around the globe. This Summit is a most significant building block in that wall, and I thank you for your attention today and for your service to this mission.

Tags: Archdiocese of America

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

Leadership 100 featured in Centennial Video
Archdiocese of America

Leadership 100 featured in Centennial Video

May 25, 2022
Y2AM completed the 50th BeeTreat
Archdiocese of America

Y2AM completed the 50th BeeTreat

May 25, 2022
HCHC held its 80th Commencement
Archdiocese of America

HCHC held its 80th Commencement

May 25, 2022
Archbishop of America: The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a milestone in every liturgical year
Archdiocese of America

Archbishop of America: This bloody sacrifice of children cannot be justified by appeals to “rights”

May 25, 2022
New video profiles first Greek Community in America
Archdiocese of America

New video profiles first Greek Community in America

May 20, 2022
Archbishop of America leads memorial for Pontic Genocide
Archdiocese of America

Archbishop of America leads memorial for Pontic Genocide

May 20, 2022
Load More
Next Post
Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Brussels airport

Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Brussels airport

Latest News

Meeting of the Patriarch of Alexandria with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus

Meeting of the Patriarch of Alexandria with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 18:48
0

On May 24, 2022, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa attended an official banquet in...

Church of Ukraine: Stops commemoration of Kirill, asks to be deprived of the Patriarchal Throne

Church of Ukraine: Stops commemoration of Kirill, asks to be deprived of the Patriarchal Throne

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 17:50
0

LAST UPDATE: 17.58 The Council of Bishops of the Church of Ukraine, which met on Tuesday in its enlarged...

Leadership 100 featured in Centennial Video

Leadership 100 featured in Centennial Video

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 17:30
0

By Menios Papadimitriou Leadership 100’s Founding Members--Arthur C. Anton, Sr., Andrew A. Athens, George K. Chimples, Peter M. Dion,...

Archdiocese of Thyateira: 3rd Learning and Living the Liturgy Orthodox Theology and Culture Lecture Series

Archdiocese of Thyateira: 3rd Learning and Living the Liturgy Orthodox Theology and Culture Lecture Series

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 17:16
0

On Tuesday, 24th May 2022, nearly 60 individuals gathered at the Archdiocesan Chapel of the Annunciation to attend the...

Bishop of Claudioupolis welcomed the Minister of Education of the Republic of Cyprus

Bishop of Claudioupolis welcomed the Minister of Education of the Republic of Cyprus

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 17:07
0

The Minister of Education of the Republic of Cyprus, Prodromos, with his entourage, visited the Hellenic School of Barnabas...

Bartholomew deeply moved at the tomb of Blessed Paul: I will take precious care of Pontus

Bartholomew deeply moved at the tomb of Blessed Paul: I will take precious care of Pontus

by NewsRoom
May 25, 2022 | 16:30
0

In an atmosphere of deep emotion and sorrow, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew performed today a Trisagion service before the grave...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

© 2022 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2022 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT