it is 2008. Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew is preparing to
go to Kiev. “The Russian intelligence knew that the visit’s aim was to
give autocephaly status to the Ukrainian church,” a source familiar with
the process had said.
Autocephaly is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop.
Accordingly, this status to the Ukrainian church meant striking a serious blow to the Russian Church, therefore to Russia.
Vladimir Putin calls Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to prevent
this visit from taking place. Greece’s ambassador in Ankara is
dispatched to Istanbul to ask the Fener Patriarch not to go.
Putin also reaches out to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is at the time a
prime minister. Erdoğan says he cannot interfere, according to the same
source, who contrasts the stance of Greece and Turkey. The visit did
take place.
Fast forward to today.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church officially gained independence on
Saturday, Jan. 5, with the signing of a decree that marked its
separation from the Russian Church that it has been tied to for
centuries.
As a small group of journalists attending the dinner held Saturday
night by the Ukrainian president in honor of the Fener Greek Patriarch,
and listening to the former to refer to Erdoğan as Ukraine’s strategic partner and true friend, it is impossible not to think about Putin.
A decade after 2008, relations between the two leaders stand at a very close working relationship. Russia
remains one of Turkey’s top trade partner and energy provider. In
addition, it is a key decision maker in Syria where it is highly
difficult for Turkey to take action without Moscow’s consent.
It is impossible to think of Putin sitting indifferent to what
happens in the “holy world” and not reach out to Erdoğan. In view of the
very close dialogue between the two it would not be unrealistic to
assume that Putin called Erdoğan but got the same answer as in 2008.
The Ukrainian church had asked for the autocephaly status ever since
1990, when the country declared its independence. It came very close to
acquiring it during Bartholomew’s visit to Kiev in 2008. But when the
Ukrainian church came with some additional requests at the last minute,
it failed to acquire the status.
Then why now? First of all, there is the right geopolitical situation as Ukraine has taken a Western vocation and opted to distance itself from Russia,
according to sources familiar with the issue. But what is seen to be “a
tactical mistake” by the Russian church has also factored in.
“Russians see themselves as very strong and want to assume the
ecumenical role in the Orthodox world. Had they come to the meeting,
they would have come as fifth in the hierarchy and also accept the
ecumenical status of the Fener Patriarch. The Russian Church did not
want to be seen as accepting this hierarchy,” said a source who asked
not to be identified.
While Turkey is said to not have interfered in the process, it is
inconceivable to think the Patriarchate to make the decision had Ankara
objected to it.
hurriyetdailynews.com
hurriyetdailynews.com