Stolen from Interfax

[Prawnik]

I know that my attitude is troubling to some, but I am not 100% happy about this.

I am glad that ROCOR and the MP are patching their differences, but allowing ROCOR to retain a measure of autonomy makes what was intended to be a temporary emergency response (severing ties with the MP in the belief that the MP had been "captured" by the Soviet state) and makes it a permanent state of affairs.

Sometimes the "good" is the enemy of the "better". As God wills.

Русская зарубежная церковь после объединения с РПЦ сохранит автономию в административной и хозяйственной сферах


http://www.interfax.ru/img/tamara/picture/120034.jpg

Москва. 15 мая. ИНТЕРФАКС - Русская православная церковь за границей сохранит административную и хозяйственную независимость после воссоединения с Церковью в Отечестве после подписания 17 мая Акта о каноническом общении, заявил представитель Отдела внешних церковных связей Московского патриархата протоиерей Николай Балашов.

"Зарубежная церковь сохранит автономию в таких же границах, какие были и раньше: будет управляться собственным архиерейским собором, будет сама назначать священнослужителей, управлять своими приходами, останется независимой в административном, хозяйственном плане, но в духовном отношении - это будет единая Церковь, возглавляемая патриархом Московским и всея Руси", - сказал во вторник журналистам отец Николай, являющийся также секретарем комиссии по переговорам с РПЦЗ.

Он отметил, что зарубежные епископы также станут полноправными участниками обсуждения всех проблем, имеющих общецерковное значение, будут участвовать в соборах Московского патриархата.
По словам отца Николая, в Зарубежной церкви много верующих и священнослужителей самых разных национальностей во многих странах мира, среди видных ее архиереев есть не принадлежащие к русским по крови, но "всем сердцем полюбившие русскую историю, русскую культуру".

[Khaleas]

Can you find it in English? They usually have them in English on the site too....

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Well, I can't read Cyrillic, but I know that the reunion of ROCOR with the MP has caused huge church splits in our area. It's very sad. In one case, an entire congregation rejected the reunion but the priest did not, so he had to be relocated to another parish. It was very sad, as he was an awesome priest

Again, I don't know what the article says, but it could be that the measure of autonomy was given out of compassion since they'd been separated for so long and they sensed that more parishes might be split if they didn't. Or, perhaps they wanted to try to reunite in a more gradual sense.....?

[JustinHesychast]

Anyone wish to inform me on what this is about? O_o

[Prawnik]

El translation mas quick y dirty:

Following reunification with MP, ROCOR to retain autonomy in administrative and economic matters.

Moscow, 15-th May. INTERFAX- The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad shall retain administrative and economic independence following unification with the Church in the Fatherland following the signing on the 17th of May of an Act of Canonical Relations, stated Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, representative of the Division of External Church Relations of the MP.

"The church abroad shall also retain independence in those matters as it did formerly, it shall designate its Priests, conduct its activities, establish independence in the administrative-economic plan, but in spiritual matters, there shall be one Church, headed by the Partiarch of Moscow and all Russia" Father Nikolai said to journalists on Tuesday, where the ROCOR secretary also appeared.

He noted that the Bishops abroad shall also be full participants in meetings regarding problems having church-wide effect, and shall participate in assemblies of the MP. According to the words of Father Nikolai, the Church Abroad has many members and Priests of many nationalities in many countries of the world, but it is seen that its Archbishops, although not belonging to Russia by blood, "with all their hearts loving Russian history and Russian culture."

[Xpycoctomos]

For those who feel lost here are the basics.

MP= Moscow patriarchate referring to the Russian Orthodox Church under patriarch Alexei.

The ROCOR stands for the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. In 1917 communism took over Russia. Russians abroad (meaning, outside of Russia) were many becuase they were trying to escape Russia. Out of emergency, the ROCOR (which was totally legit then) formed a synod of bishops to take care of things while the Patriarch back in Moscow was unable to properly lead them (becuase the government was basically evil). Over time, even as communication began to open up, people under the Synod (ROCOR) began to distrust the Patriarch (claiming he was a puppet of the communist State) so they kept their Synod against the wishes of the patriarch (for this reason, the ROCOR to this day is often referred to as the Synodal Church). Later in 91 the Soviet union disbanded and Russia was no longer (technically) communist. So, logic would say that it would now be time to reunite. However, logic doesn't always prevail in Orthodox politics and the ROCOR would not go back under the Patriarch (some say becuase they had legitimate concerns, others say that it is becuase the ROCOR was being power hungry). Over the years, the relations worsened. To make it even worse, the ROCOR began to put up their own Church WITHIN Russia (after the fall of communism) and this really was a slap in the face to the MP. From that time on the MP (which had allowed a non-official status of intercommunion before then) prohibited followers of the MP to commune in the ROCOR (which, in all likelihood, probably hastened the reunion we are now about to enjoy and praise God for). Since that time, serious talks began between the two Churches on finally putting this behind them. ROCOR brought up their concerns (some of which I relate with) and MP brought up theirs. last year they announced that they would be reuniting and finally that will be made real and we will be one Church (As much as the Autonomous Antiochian Church and the Church of Antioch are One).

I don't have any problem with ROCOR autonomy (I should mention that I am under the MP). What many people don't understand is that MP until this reunion cannot commune with the ROCOR. This artificial divide will be no longer. regarding the heirarchy still being autonomous... whatever... who cares. I mean, is the MP legitimate in originally expecting the ROCOR to just be absorbed completely into the flock? Yes, I think so... completely so. But, for the sake of unity this concession was necessary.

Per the agreement, the ROCOR Churches in Russia are to eventually go completely under the MP (this is supposed to happen quite quickly if I remember correctly) and ROCOR will begin to take on the meaning of its name (Russian Orthodox Church OUTSIDE of Russia). As for the ROCOR Churches abroad, it could make sense that they would keep their autonomy since that is the logical way things are going (ie, Anthiochian Church in America). Perhaps going under the OCA would be the perfect and official response (considering the promise of the MP to not form any new parishes and these should go to the OCA... but that agreement is pretty much ignored unfortunately), but this isn't realistic at all. As for the MP parishes abroad (like mine), despite popular myth, it is not spelled out in the agreement what will happen with these, only that it is important that MP and ROCOR parishes abroad work together. that's not to say that MP Churches outside of Russia (especially in the US) will not go under the auspices of the ROCOR, but not as rule per the agreement they signed.

[Xpycoctomos]

did any of my rambling make sense (apart from my opinions :))?

John

[RobNJ]

did any of my rambling make sense (apart from my opinions :))?

John


Believe it, or not...... yes :P

^_^

[Xpycoctomos]

lol

by the way, I am intrested in how this is being recieved in the "Fatherland". Rumeister? Anyonelse who might be there?