Ukraine's Churches take symbolic step toward reunification (04/27/97)

Ukraine's Churches take symbolic step toward reunification

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - A small symbolic step toward a constructive dialogue on reunification of several religious confessions of Ukraine finally was taken on April 16 when two Orthodox patriarchates and the Greek-Catholic Church agreed to hold a joint ecumenical service in August.

At a conference to promote discussion on problems among the three Orthodox Churches of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC), which was sponsored by the Prosvita Society, the participants agreed that one Ukrainian faith is a key to a strong Ukrainian nation.

"It is a telling fact: true bondage [of the Ukrainian people] began with spiritual bondage, with the loss of an independent Church," stated an appeal released by the conference. The statement went on to say that the formation of a united "pomisna" (particular) Orthodox Church is not only historically proper but would also be a step out of the economic-spiritual crisis in which Ukrainian society finds itself today.

Heeding a comment by the Rev. Serhii Prudko of the UGCC that "we begin gathering in one Church and praying together for guidance," they decided the best first step to a beneficial discourse would be to hold a prayer service on Ukrainian Independence Day in August at the Cathedral of St. Sophia.

The participants, who included Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), Patriarch Dymytrii of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) and the Rev. Prudko of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, had little positive to say about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate. Patriarch Filaret of the Kyiv Patriarchate went so far as to call the Moscow Patriarchate, which is part of the Russian Orthodox Church headed by Patriarch Aleksei, a "totalitarian sect."

He said the Moscow Patriarchate will work only for upheaval and discontent within the confessions of Ukraine because its goal is one Ukrainian Church directed from Moscow. "I am convinced that we can do nothing with the Moscow Patriarchate. Their arms and legs are so tied by decrees from Moscow that they no longer think of an autocephalous Ukrainian Church," said Patriarch Filaret.

Last month the Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated Patriarch Filaret, even though he has not been associated with the Church for several years. At one time he was its Kyiv metropolitan.

Patriarch Filaret said that, on the other hand, a dialogue with the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church is still possible because one of that Church's missions remains the building of a strong Ukrainian nation.

Patriarch Dymytrii of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, which has bickered with the UOC-KP since Patriarch Filaret established the Kyiv Patriarchate, said he believes the Church must be completely rebuilt from the ground up. He was alluding to the strife that has engulfed his Church, including accusations of corruption. Bishop Ioan, who led a faction of the UAOC that had Patriarch Dymytrii dismissed in October 1996, last month went over to the Kyiv Patriarchate.

Patriarch Dymytrii briefly alluded to the problems when he said, "There are some people who believe that the Church can run commercial trade operations. That cannot be."

Ivan Drach, former deputy and current head of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council, called for a dialogue on confessional unity and for debate on the topic at the World Forum of Ukrainians, which is scheduled for Kyiv on August 21-24. He suggested that the Orthodox Churches in the U.S. and Canada might play a mediating role in such a discussion.

| Home Page |