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Statements
of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church
concerning the possibility of split in Orthodoxy through recognition of
the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine resemble the threats of Russian
President Vladimir Putin with nuclear weapons. Such a commentary made
by Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine was posted on his
Facebook page.
“The
threats of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the ROC concerning the
possibility of a “great schism” in Orthodoxy concerning the recognition
of the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine are reminiscent of Putin's
threats with nuclear weapons. They are both a sign of weakness. For, for
example, the USSR did not threaten nuclear weapons, because it had a
powerful force. And when there is no real force – then they try to scare
with threats.
If the split happens, only the ROC will find itself in schism, and only for a while.
It
should be understood that such statements are a sign of despair and
impotence. In Moscow, it has already become clear that recognition of
the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine is inevitable. And their
threats will not prevent it.»
As
reported, Metropolitan Hilarion of the ROC stated that if the UOC gets
autocephaly, the schism in universal Orthodoxy will be comparable to the
Great Schism of 1054.
