Shut

Published by The National Herald, January 21, 2005

Russia Keeps its Doors Shut on the Pope

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – A long-desired trip by Pope John Paul II to Russia could occur only if the Vatican renounces efforts to expand Rome-affiliated churches in traditional Orthodox Christian areas, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said.

The condition set by Patriarch Alexy II on January 11 reinforces previous statements and suggests Russian Orthodox leaders have not been swayed by recent Vatican overtures, which have included the return of an important icon and the relics of two Orthodox saints.

Before a Papal visit to Russia can be considered, "it is essential to renounce the proselytism which is being carried out… by numerous representatives of the Roman Catholic clergy," Alexy wrote in response to questions posed by the Associated Press.

Eastern Rite (i.e., Uniate) churches, which retain Orthodox traditions but are loyal to the Vatican, are one of the thorniest issues blocking attempts to heal the nearly 1,000-year-old division between the world’s 1 billion Roman Catholics and more than 250 million Orthodox.

The Uniate churches have grown since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, and many senior Orthodox clergy accuse the Vatican of trying to encroach on historic Orthodox lands. Alexy said the Eastern Rite churches "only deepen the divisions between Orthodox and Catholics."

But the Pope has pushed ahead with attempts to reach out to Orthodox. He has made a series of history-making trips into mostly Orthodox nations since the late 1990’s and conducted joint worship with the world’s Orthodox spiritual leader, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.

Yet Russia, the most populous Orthodox nation, has remained closed to the ailing, 84-year-old pontiff, who has sharply cut back on his travels in recent years.

Alexy offered little hope the door could open. Besides a demand for a Vatican declaration on its Eastern Rite policies, Alexy stressed the importance to "normalize" the church disputes in Ukraine, where the Pope visited in 2001.

The Russian Orthodox Church is angered by possible moves on the Vatican’s part to give patriarchal status to Greek Catholics, Uniates who have expanded into traditionally Orthodox eastern and southern Ukraine.

Alexy called it part of "unfriendly activities toward the Russian Orthodox Church," adding that actions speak louder than words.

"The concrete problems which stand between us and complicate the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue ought to be discussed and resolved in practice," he wrote.

But he welcomed the latest Vatican acts as a possible "sign of readiness" to advance discussions.

In August, the Vatican sent an 18th Century replica of the Mother of God of Kazan icon back to Moscow, a work which first appeared in the Volga River city of Kazan in 1579 and is revered by many Russian believers. The copy of the icon was smuggled to the West after the 1917 Russian Revolution and had hung in the Pope’s private chapel.

In November, the Vatican returned the relics of two 4th Century Orthodox saints to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), the former Byzantine capital and the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The above was published by the Wichita Eagle on January 15. The original headline is, "Russian Patriarch: Vatican Must Renounce Expansion."



Volume 7 Number 4 - Tuesday, January 25th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY