Orthodox Times publishes a response to the appeal of Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy to the Patriarch of Constantinople

The Greek-American edition of the Orthodox Times published a critical response to the appeal of Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, claiming that the position of the bishop reflects a «pro-Russian view» and «ignores church decisions and facts» related to the autocephaly of the OCU. The author of the response is Hieromonk Nikita of the Pantokrator Monastery on Mount Athos.

According to the Orthodox Times, the author points out that Metropolitan Theodosius remains committed to the Russian Orthodox Church, continuing to commemorate the Patriarch of Moscow, despite the decision of the Synod of his Church in May 2022 to break off relations with Moscow. According to Hieromonk Nikita, the Metropolitan actively resists dialogue and unity with the OCU, promoting the familiar «Moscow rhetoric» about schismatics and false ordinations, while not raising the issue of the suffering of the flock due to hostilities and rocket attacks.

In response to the claims of Constantinople’s «silence,» the material recalls the decision of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople of October 9-11, 2018, when it was decided to grant autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine. Then, as emphasized in the publication, the Phanar hierarchs appealed to all parties to refrain from seizing churches and monasteries, as well as from violence and revenge, so that «peace and love of Christ may prevail.»

In addition, according to Hieromonk Nikita, there is a one-sided presentation of information by the Metropolitan: he appeals to the UN statements on Cherkasy, but is silent about numerous resolutions and reports condemning crimes attributed to Russian troops, including premeditated killings, attacks on civilians, illegal detentions, torture and deportation of children.

Hieromonk Nikita also criticizes the attempt to draw a historical parallel with «cooperation with the Bolsheviks,» calling it untenable. According to the publication, he points to the destruction of more than 380 Orthodox monuments and churches as a result of daily shelling in Ukraine, a significant part of which belonged to the Church of Metropolitan Theodosius, and the lack of a public reaction from Patriarch Kirill to the suffering of Ukrainians and the loss of his own parishes.

The publication cites examples of bishops who tried to oppose Moscow after the destruction of their cathedrals, in particular, Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa. This dynamic, according to the author, reflects the ideology of the «Russian world,» already condemned by the Patriarchate of Alexandria, where state priorities replace church service.

In response to Metropolitan Theodosius’ appeal to Patriarch Bartholomew to «revoke the Tomos and restore the canonical order,» Hieromonk Nikita replies that the procedure for granting autocephaly was carried out «in strict accordance with the canons and Holy Tradition.» According to him, the split is supported by the Russian Church, while Patriarch Bartholomew, on the contrary, «united the three Ukrainian church branches» and repeatedly called on those who disagree to unite.

According to Orthodox Times, the author calls for looking at the church problem through the prism of peace and responsibility: instead of interpreting the invasion as a «political disagreement,» Moscow should be demanded to take real steps to end the war. Hieromonk Nikita recalls that the Patriarch of Constantinople had previously called on Patriarch Kirill to become a factor of peace, stability and balance, which, in the author’s opinion, would allow for a gentle resolution of the Ukrainian church issue without the current inter-Orthodox conflicts.

In conclusion, it is emphasized that until the fait accompli of the existence of the OCU under the blessing of the «Mother Church,» which historically granted autocephaly to local churches, the unity of Orthodoxy will remain unattainable. According to the author, all parties are called upon to recognize this and work together for the sake of unity.

Earlier, the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Theodosius (Snigirev) of Cherkasy and Kanev, published an open letter to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The hierarch called on the head of Phanar to correct the mistake made in 2019, when the Ukrainian schism was legalized, which led to unprecedented persecution of the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.