a view on the UOC [Ukrainian Orthodox Church]

[NORRYM]

Until now, any dialogue between the two dominant Ukraine denominations, the UOC and the UUC, was overshadowed by homespun squabbles in each camp. Per the recent pronouncemant by Patriarch Filaret, of the UOC-KP, an understanding was solidified with the UOC-A to work toward the unification of all Orthodox branches in Ukraine. The remaining branch, the UOC-MP, still remains on the sidelines, fearful of offending Patriarch Aleksey, of the ROC. This, despite a go-ahead signal by the Ecumenical Patriarch in Istambul, Bartholomew I, for ignoring, on historical grounds, the Moscow canonical claims over the UOC. So the major remaining impediment, to the coming together of all three Orthodox branches, the adamant pro Moscow stand by the UOC-MP is being challenged by the Supreme Head of the Orthodoxy, himself. At present, this development causes a big headache for the Patriarch Aleksey. The impending arrival of Pope in Ukraine only amplifies that headache.

The situation, as captured above, leaves little more for the Moscow Patriarch, along with his Ukrainian lackey, Patriarch Sabodan, to do, then to cry foul. How dare the Pope visit Ukraine, which is an indisputable part of Moscow brand hegemony, without first consulting with the Aleksey-Sabodan team? Pope's vehement intent to visit a part of his flock, the UUC, cannot be overruled by the, however loud, protestations from the alarmed Moscow-Kiev Axis.

To be continued in my next post.
emkay/01/27/01

[NORRYM]

With the UUC matters falling in shape {new UUC head named cardinal, Pope's imminent visit on track}, the UOC must be getting jittery. Patriarch Sabodan's vassal submission to Patriarch Aleksey's tantrums, regarding Pope's visit, must be coming to a renewed scrutiny within the UOC-MP branch. Similarly, Patriarch Filaret's lukewarm stance, toward the visit, must be reexamined from a different angle, within the UOC-KP branch.

If the Ukrainian Factor, being embraced by the Pope now, is to stamp an impact redeeming to the whole Ukraine Religion Front, the UOC Exarchates cannot remain status quo in their, originally indefensible, positions. The time to switch is now!

emkay/01/29/01

[Edited by NORRYM on 30th January 2001 at 05:27]

[NORRYM]

After a breather, all is quiet no more on the Eastern Front. Per today's {02/14/01} Kyiv Post, the ROC, through its spokesperson Metropolitan Kiril, postulates a renewed canonical argument against Pope's visit in Ukraine. A contention is made, that the visit , without a prior approbation by the Orthodox Authorities, cannot heal the cold war spirit between the churches. Kiril called, especially, for the resolution of church property disputes in western Ukraine, as a condition for considering Pope's visit favorably.

emkay/02/14/01

[NORRYM]

The UOC Exarchates stay mum, while Aleksy II does their dirty work for them. They neither applaud nor reprehend, vocally, Aleksy's intrusion in the matters of religion on Ukrainian soil. Aleksy contends that before visiting Ukraine, the Pope should first stop the UUC from reclaiming its property, once confiscated on Stalin's decree. Tacitly, this, of course, suits the UOC just fine. The church sans principles, cannot maintain a moral standing in a society - the UOC does not show any will or any backbone to stand up to Aleksy II.

emkay/02/16/01

[NORRYM]

After placing itself on the record as tacitly or openly siding with Moscow's Aleksy II, in opposing Pope's visit to Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Side {UOS} went into a withdrawal , from public sight, phase. This could be interpreted in a few ways. Either a perfidious plot is being hatched, or the break serves to reexamine the position. There are no immediate clues to support either hypothesis.

emkay/02/24/01