A new attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was launched by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov by his side.
Once again confirming the alignment of the Russian Church with the Russian government, Kirill spoke of what he described as interference by the Phanar in the ecclesiastical life of Ukraine.
Speaking during the official Paschal reception held on April 22 in Moscow, at the building of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he stressed that particular importance is attached to the development of fraternal ties with the Local Orthodox Churches. According to him, most Churches remain committed to maintaining good relations with the Moscow Patriarchate.
He added, however, that inter-Orthodox relations are “currently being tested in terms of their adherence to the canonical order of the Church.” He further noted that “a teaching foreign to Orthodoxy is being imposed externally, concerning special authoritative powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople.”
According to him, this has served as “the basis for the intervention of the Phanar in the ecclesiastical life of Ukraine, contributing to a prolonged crisis in inter-Orthodox relations.”
He also referred to what he described as “discrimination against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church” (under Metropolitan Onuphry), noting that “pressure from the Ukrainian authorities has taken on the character of open religious persecution.”
This statement, although not new, further complicates the situation regarding the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, as the Church under Onuphry has declared its “independence” from Moscow, without it being clarified in any case whether—and which—Metropolitans of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) commemorate the Patriarch of Moscow or the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Additionally, he stated that in the Baltic countries and Moldova “pressure on structures of the Moscow Patriarchate has increased,” including through the adoption, as he said, of “legislation that intensifies discrimination.” He made particular reference to the Church in Estonia, whose existence, according to him, “is under threat.”
Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Nigeria, he stressed that Orthodox believers are facing violence and pressure from extremist elements.
Finally, he referred to the cooperation between the Church and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially in supporting compatriots abroad.
For his part, Lavrov spoke about the unifying role of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as its long-standing contribution to maintaining national unity and providing spiritual guidance to the people.
Particular reference was made to cooperation between Church and state, especially in the field of “church diplomacy,” on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. The chairman of the Department, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, was also present at the event.
Sergey Lavrov emphasized that this cooperation contributes to strengthening Russia’s international presence and promoting dialogue among peoples and religions.
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