a view on the UOC [Ukrainian Orthodox Church]

[NORRYM]

While the UUC [Ukrainian Uniate Church] finds itself in a morass, the UOC [Ukrainian Orthodox Church] tries to extricate itself from one. The recently concluded session of the Episcopal Counsil of the UOC, Kyiv Patriarchate [KP], has reached a point of defining the issues and trying to chip away at the associated problems. As captured by the article in the January 16, 2001, edition of the press organ, THE DAY, the issue facing the UOC is trilateral in nature. The three costituents are: [1] Finding common ground with the Autocephalous branch of the UOC [2] Reaching an understanding of the UOC situation from the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I [3] Reaching an accommodation with the UOC branch, Moscow Patriarchate [MP]. The Episcopal Session confirmed a cooperative spirit with the Autocephalous branch. The Session also gained a degree of reassurance from the Patriarch, Bartholomew I, of his understanding of the historical legacy of the UOC to be independent of the ROC [Russian Orthodox Church]. It is the third item of the trilateral issue that remains a thorny problem. The ROC Patriarch, Aleksy, of late , has postulated additional canonical constraints on the MP branch of the UOC, which places the unification process in a limbo state.

emkay/01/19/01

[Edited by NORRYM on 19th January 2001 at 12:50]

[NORRYM]

The foundation for Ecumenical Patriarch's, Bartholomew I, stand on the UOC descendancy from Constantinople, and not from Moscow, is based on a historical fact. The substance of that fact is that the 1686 separation of Kyiv Diocese from Constantinople, and subsequent annexation by Moscow, was unlawful. This interpretation was cited in THE DAY article, referred to in the preceding post.

emkay/01/19/01

[NORRYM]

The overall reunification of the three UOC branches remains on hold pending some conter-measures to the Moscow Maneuvers. As alluded to in an earlier post, the UOC-MP branch is held hostage to a new formula [or canon modifier], by the MP, devised to block the reunification process. The formula is referred to as "SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENCE OF CHURCH" in canon law. From the DAY article, cited before, it is not clear what the formula actually conveys - suffice it to say, the formula tries to insure that the UOC-MP remains under the jurisdiction of Moscow.

emkay/01/20/01

[NORRYM]

Per the newspapaper DAY-UV [Ukrainian Version], of January 24, 2001, the UOC [UKrainian Orthodox Church] appears to bend in the Moscow wind vis-a-vis the coming visit of the Pope. The most vocal detractor to the visit, is Patriarch Sabodan of the UOC-MP {Moscow Patriarchate], as would be expected. Patriarch Filaret, of the UOC-KP [Kyiv Patriarchate] is merely lukewarm. His, less than enthusiastic, attitude toward the UUC [Ukrainian Uniate Church}, and its Rome connection, goes back to the USSR years. The UOC-[Autocephalous] branch is least vocal on this [Pope's Visit] matter, and can be assumed to be very concilliatory, as is its position on the unity among all the major Ukraine Churches.

Patriarch Sabodan is a mere mouthpiece for the Patriarch Aleksey, of the ROC {Russian Orthodox Church]. ROC views Pope's visit as a major intrusion into the affairs of Orthodoxy. This position is used to veil Moscow's larger, pollitical designs, and they are to maintain Ukraine in its sphere of influence. More on that in one of my future posts.

emkay/01/24/01

[Edited by NORRYM on 24th January 2001 at 19:20]

[NORRYM]

Rome dispatch of January 23, 2001, reported in KYIV POST, confirms Pope's visit taking place. This flies in the face of loud objections by the UOC-MP. The objections underscore two major contentions: [1] The Pope did not consult, on the visit, with Ukraine Orthodox Churches. [2] The visit will deepen the divide among Ukraine Orthodox Churches.

The first contention is counter to Pope's role, as a Pastoral Head of some six million Uniate Catholic Faithful in Ukraine. As such, he requires no concurrence from other denominations. The second contention is deeper in nature. It is based on the claim that Pope's visit will inflict harm to the unifying attempts among the three branches of the UOC. This contention ignores the potetial of Pope's visit to impart just the opposite affect - i.e. that of reinforcing the attempts at harmony. Realization of the latter, of course. is contingent on how diplomatically skillful will the Pope's wellcome be in Ukraine.

emkay/01/24/01

[Edited by NORRYM on 24th January 2001 at 20:37]

[NORRYM]

Defying the unfriendly clamor from the UOC-MP, the Pope is to visit Ukraine on the announced dates of 23-27 June of this year. Per Rome dispatch of January 25, 2001, the Pope underscores the importance of the visit as a step toward the reconcilliation among Christians. This pronouncement signals a beginning of a marked shift in Pope's Ecummenical Drive strategy. Until now, the Ukrainian Factor appeared to have been overshadowed or deferred in the interest of Ecumenism. With the shift in policy, the Ukrainian Factor looms as a vital component of the Ecumenical Drive.

The shift in strategy may lead to the recognition of a Patriarchal Seat for the UUC. Such a move would be an ultimate sign of Pope's approbation of the Ukrainian Factor.

emkay/01/25/01

[NORRYM]

Latest news, surrounding Pope's visit to Ukraine, underscores the strategic significance of the trip. Pope's defiant stance vis-a-vis the vocal displeasure of the Orthodox Camp in Ukraine, headed by the Moscow lackey, Patriarch Sabodan, serves as a signal of the shift in the Ecumenical Drive strategy. Whereas before, the Pope considered the Ukrainian Factor as an irritant to be avoided - now he is set on using it as a strategic weapon.

We are witnessing, right this moment, a major revision in the Grand Formula, for achieving the goal of the Reunification Mission, by the Pope. The goal is to amend the results of the West-East split in the Christianity, of the year 1054.

No protestations, diversions or sheer sabotage, by the Orthodox Church in Kiev or Moscow, can stop this reinvigorated Ecumenical Drive by the Pope. The Ukrainian Factor is maybe His last card to play.

emkay/01/26/01