Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man
DECR Communication Service, 07/01/2024
On 7th January 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ gave a Christmas interview to TASS News Agency Director-General Andrey Kondrashov. In answering one of the questions the Primate of the Russian Church pointed out that the Patriarch of Constantinople had come under a strong influence of “those who have power in this world” and that his support for the schism in Ukraine was more than an error; it was his “great sin,” patriarchia.ru website reports, citing the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media.
“Political factors were behind the establishment of the schismatic ‘church’ in Ukraine. Regretfully, the Patriarch of Constantinople endorsed it. He has come under a strong influence of those who have power in this world. He has neither support nor a flock of his own in the land where his seat is (I mean Turkey). It is really difficult for him,” said Patriarch Kirill.
“In all likelihood, such an unfavourable context is what conditions the position of the Patriarch of Constantinople, which great many people find impossible to agree with. That is why his support for the schism in Ukraine is more than an error; it is a great sin of the Patriarch of Constantinople,” the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church added.
“When the schismatic processes began, behind them was the political will of not just the enemies of Russia, but also the enemies of Orthodoxy, I have no doubt of that. For to tear the Russian Church away from the Middle East Churches means, first of all, to weaken those Churches. By the mercy of God, the majority of Orthodox leaders are wise men and therefore do not give in to such kind of pressure, while the pressure is being exerted and some are yielding. That notwithstanding, the heads of certain Churches mount courageous resistance,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said in conclusion.
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