Moscow adopted 102 clergymen of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, forms Exarchate of Africa

[Steve Hayes]

Moscow “adopted” 102 clergymen of the Patriarchate of Alexandria,
forms “Exarchate of Africa” (upd)

Dec 29, 2021 | 16:55 in FrontPage,

Patriarchate of Moscow
Moscow “adopted” 102 clergymen of the Patriarchate of Alexandria,
forms “Exarchate of Africa” (upd)


LAST UPDATE THURSDAY 30/12, 11:08


By Efi Efthimiou

The Moscow Patriarchate received 102 priests of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria, as announced at the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia,
which met today.

The news was announced by Vladimir Legoida through his personal
Telegram account.

In particular, he stated that “the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox
Church declares that it can no longer refuse to accept the clergy of
the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, who have submitted applications,
under its omoforion.

For this reason, it decided to receive under the jurisdiction of the
Russian Orthodox Church, 102 clergymen of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria, from eight African countries”.

It should be reminded that OrthodoxTimes.com in a previous post had
predicted that the recognition of the autocephaly of the Orthodox
Church of Ukraine by the Patriarchate of Alexandria would not pass
without consequences by the Russians.

That is why some hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church insisted on
the creation of a “Metropolis of Africa of the Russian Patriarchate”
whose goal is to affect the legitimate Patriarch Theodore of
Alexandria.

Read the full statement of the Patriarchate of Moscow
The Holy Synod resolves to form a Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
The head of the Synodal Department for the Church’s Relations with
Society and Mass Media, Vladimir Legoida, reported on the resolutions
adopted by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church at its
meeting held on December 29, 2021, in the Patriarchal and Synodal
Residence at the St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow. The meeting was
chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Mr. Legoida reported that the Holy Synod heard a report of the
vice-chairman of the Department for External Church Relations,
Archbishop Leonid of Yerevan and Armenia, on the numerous appeals
coming to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia from
clerics of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria to take them under the
omophorion of the Moscow Patriarchate (Minutes No. 100).



“Summing up the discussion, the Synod stated that it is impossible to
give another refusal to the clerics of the Orthodox Church of
Alexandria, who petitioned to take them under the omophorion of the
Moscow Patriarchate”, Mr. Legoida said.

“In this connection, the Synod resolved that 102 clergy of the
Patriarchate of Alexandria from eight countries in Africa, in
compliance with their petitions, be accepted in the jurisdiction of
the Russian Orthodox Church”, he added.

The Holy Synod resolved that the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa be
formed consisting of the Diocese of North Africa and South Africa and
the head of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa be given the title “of
Klin”.

Vladimir Legoida also reported that the Holy Synod resolved that the
Diocese of North Africa should include the Patriarchal parishes of the
Moscow Patriarchate in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco and the ruling
bishop of the Diocese of North Africa have the title “of Cairo and
North Africa”.

“Moreover, the Holy Synod resolved that the Diocese of South Africa
should include the parish of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Republic
of South Africa”, Mr. Legoida reported.

“The Synod resolved that the ruling bishop of the Diocese of South
Africa be given the title “of Johannesburg and South Africa”, he said.

According to Mr. Legoida, the Synod appointed Archbishop Leonid of
Yerevan and Armenia as Patriarchal Exarch for Africa, Metropolitan of
Klin, with instruction to rule the Diocese of North Africa and to be
the temporary administrator of the Diocese of South Africa.

“The Holy Synod also resolved to relieve the Right Rev. Leonid of his
duty as vice-chairman of the DECR, retaining his duty as temporary
administrator of the Diocese of Yerevan and Armenia”, said the head of
the Synodal Department.

Dource: https://t.co/nDtdgUThbG

[Steve Hayes]

On Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:41:37 +0200, Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
Moscow “adopted” 102 clergymen of the Patriarchate of Alexandria,
forms “Exarchate of Africa” (upd)
Dec 29, 2021 | 16:55 in FrontPage,

The tragedy of the Ukrainian schism, and its recent spread to Africa
has aroused much discussion, but little has been done to heal the
rift. This statement by Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, who has
himself worked in Africa, is one of the most sensible that I have seen
from the Primate of an Autocephalous Church.

-----
Archbishop of Albania described creation of Russian Exarchate in
Africa as "painful development" (upd)

Jan 08, 2022 | 18:57Archbishop of Albania described creation of
Russian Exarchate in Africa as "painful development" (upd) LAST
UPDATE: 19:43

Source: https://t.co/zENMbAgJz3

By Efi Efthimiou

Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania drew a parallel of the
decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to grant the Tomos of
Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine with the illegal intrusion of the
Russian Orthodox Church in the boundaries of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria.

In an article published today by the head of the Church of Albania,
Archbishop Anastasios does not condemn the decision of the Moscow
Patriarchate to establish an "Exarchate of Africa" with the aquisition
of more than 100 clergymen of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, but on
the contrary, "justifies" this decision as a result of the
"ecclesiastical crisis in Ukraine."

The Archbishop of Albania spoke of a "hard development" and a divisive
activity".

In fact, he attached the text he had sent to the Orthodox Primates in
November 2019, in which he stressed the need for a Synod on the
Ukrainian issue, something he is still asking for.

Read the full text of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and all
Albania

Since the beginning of the ecclesiastical crisis in Ukraine, we have
pointed out with oral and written arguments that time does not heal
ecclesiastical rifts and schisms.

On the contrary, it deepens and hardens them. The recent decision of
the Moscow Patriarchate to establish an exarchate on the African
continent confirms the initial fears. Along with the schism among
millions of Ukrainian Orthodox, a new schism is being created in the
sensitive African continent, where Orthodox foreign mission has been
developing in recent decades.

In African countries, various Christian denominations have long been
established as well as expansionist Islam. From now on, ordinary
Africans will be invited to come to Orthodoxy by two Orthodox
Patriarchates, without having eucharistic communion ties with each
other. The scandal and the weakening of the Orthodox testimony by this
divisive activity are obvious. This is a hard development.

The claim that there is no schism in Orthodoxy but simply
disagreements resembles the theory that there is no coronavirus. The
schism, with a variety of mutations, is evident, and it is urgent to
seek treatment and the vaccine, defined by the apostolic tradition,
that is, reconciliation.

In November 2019, we had sent to all the Orthodox Primates the text,
which had been also published in the pres, entitled "Appeal-Prayer for
overcoming the ecclesiastical polarization," in which we stressed the
absolute priority and our commitment to unity, the need to use
dialogue, avoidance of ethno-racial clusters, the urgent activation of
the principle of the synodicality, on which the Orthodox Church has
relied for a long time. We have made it clear that "united in the Holy
Spirit, with mutual respect and the sole purpose of finding a peaceful
settlement, we have the possibility of reaching a solution commonly
accepted by the whole Orthodox Church."

This urgent appeal is still relevant today. For the convenience of the
reader, we republish and attach the text.

Tirana, January 8, 2022

_______________________________________________



+ Anastasios

Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania

Waiting for 2019 Christmas

Appeal - Prayer for overcoming ecclesiastical polarization

Much has been written and said for several months now about the
Ukrainian ecclesiastical issue. However, the duty of the unity of
Orthodoxy must be emphasized. While advocating for the patriarchal
spiritual experience and ecclesiastical tradition, Saint John
Chrysostom declared: "The name of the Church is the name of union and
agreement, not of separation. The Church was made so that we are
united, not separated." Moreover, he said: "Nothing infuriates God as
much as dividing the Church." So, we must take seriously this basic
truth for every action, that is, the unity of the Church is first and
foremost.

The ecclesiastical events of the past year created a new situation
with the obvious involvement of geopolitical interests and
expediencies. This new situation cannot be indirectly or immediately
ignored. Granting Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine did not bring
the desired unity of the Orthodox nor peace, as had been the case with
all previous instances of granting Autocephaly. The central figure of
the Ukrainian problem, the self-proclaimed "Patriarch" Filaret,
finally, rejected the Tomos, blaming its content and purpose. The
divisions have spread to other areas and to the Orthodox world, in
general. At the same time, the pre-eminent mystery of unity and
apology, the Eucharis, was used by the Moscow Patriarchate during the
controversy as a lever of pressure. Tens of millions of Orthodox have
severed Eucharistic communion ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and the Church of Greece. After all,
the issue of the validity of the ordinations, which were performed by
the self-proclaimed "Patriarch" Filaret, even though he was
excommunicated, still spreads division. The painful consequences of
the attempt are well known not only in Orthodox circles but in the
whole of Christendom.

At present, there is a disturbing silence in most Orthodox Churches.
The emerging political pressures on both sides are damaging the
spiritual prestige of the Orthodox Church. The mobilization of
irresponsible persons who insult those who express different opinions,
and at the same time flatter those who support them degrades the
Orthodox dialogue at a critical time for Orthodoxy. Some
ecclesiastical circles express the expectation that all the Orthodox
Churches will recognize gradually the Tomos of Autocephaly. However,
even if some Autocephalous Churches recognize it, several others, as
they have publicly stated so far, will remain in denial. This will
result in an ethno-racial division (into Greeks, Slavs and those who
want harmonious relations with all), which nullifies the multinational
and multicultural nature of Orthodoxy and its ecumenicality. Time does
not correct automatically the ecclesiastical schisms nor does it heal
them; on the contrary, it consolidates and deepens them.

It is now urgent to look for ways to overcome ecclesiastical
polarization. To tackle the various conflicts in the world, the first
step is de-escalation. It is widely accepted and often reiterated
internationally that tensions can only be addressed through serious
dialogue. Let us seek as soon as possible communication and exchange
of creative proposals between the key actors of the crisis. There are
people in the Orthodox Church who can contribute to the immediate
start of consultations.

It is time to lay the foundations of the new efforts of truths of the
Orthodox Tradition, which are based on the Bible. For example, "Why do
you call me, `Lord, Lord,´ and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, cf.
Matthew7:21); "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you..." (Matthew 5:44); "And forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors..."(Matthew 6:12); "...Make every
effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (To
Ephesians4:3, see also To Galatians5:15). By faithfully following the
Lord´s commands, we will see new ways of overcoming this crisis.

There are solutions. God will enlighten us to find them. However,
there will be no solutions through the exchange of offensive and
threatening texts or through extra-ecclesiastical interventions; nor
can they be imposed unilaterally or automatically over time. Any delay
worsens the present painful situation. And if a solution is found "in
the end," "in the future," there will be many unpleasant chapters in
the history of Orthodoxy. The basic principle of synodicality, on
which the Orthodox Church has been based over time, is the only one
that can finally open the way to the existing crisis. United in the
Holy Spirit, with mutual respect and the sole purpose of finding a
peaceful settlement, we have the possibility of reaching a solution
commonly accepted by the whole Orthodox Church. As long as the use of
the synodicality is postponed to a Pan-Orthodox level, the
multilateral divisions in the Orthodox Ecumene will become even more
dangerous. Today´s technology exacerbates the disturbance, confusion
and unrest among Orthodox, and ultimately reduces the credibility of
Orthodoxy in the modern world.

In the view of Christmas celebrations, the great feast of the nativity
of the Son and Word of God, of the initiative of the Father for
reconciliation with humankind, we humbly intensify our prayer to
hasten the steps for reconciliation. So, all the Orthodox have the
right to chant together "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14). "All this
is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us
the ministry of reconciliation" (II To Corinthians 5:18).

The initiative for the treatment of the new situation undoubtedly
belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, all the Autocephalous
Churches, all Orthodox without exception, have a responsibility to
contribute to reconciliation.

The reconciliation will bring peace to millions of faithful people. At
the same time, Orthodoxy will confirm its spiritual ability to heal
wounds, guided by the Word of God and the energy of the Holy Spirit.
Confirming the truth that it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church, which has at its head Christ, the incarnate Son of God, "for
whom and through whom everything exists" (Hebrews 2:10), "...gave us
the ministry of reconciliation" (II To Corinthians 5:18).

Tirana, November 20, 2019