by NAT da Polis
Meeting of Orthodox primates of the
Middle East. Meeting focuses on Ukrainian issue and relations between
Antioch and Jerusalem.
Istanbul (AsiaNews) - On the initiative of the Archbishop of
Cyprus, Chrysostomos II (in the photo), the Orthodox patriarchs
Theodoros of Alexandria, Ioannis of Antioch, and Theofilos of Jerusalem
met in Cyprus last Friday to discuss various issues that concern the
Orthodox world, clearly including the Ukrainian one, which saw Moscow
unilaterally interrupt the Eucharistic sacramental communion with
Constantinople, after the concession of autocephaly by the Ecumenical
Patriarchate.
It should also be emphasized that the three Orthodox patriarchates
were part of the ancient pentarchia, of which Rome and Constantinople
were also part, according to the canons decided in the 4th Ecumenical
Synod of Chalcedon, in 451, a synod that had also granted autocephaly to
the Church of Cyprus.
According to the statement released after their meeting, the four
primates prayed for peace in the Middle East, to continue the historic
presence of Christians on those lands, which saw the birth of the Church
founded by Jesus Christ and spread by the apostles. To this end, they
decided to strengthen their collaboration with other Christian churches
of different denominations, in order to better preserve the Christian
presence. They also appealed strongly to all political forces to work
together to develop those areas, as their populations have suffered
great injustices throughout history. The four primates also expressed
regret to the so-called powerful of the Earth for the indifference shown
on the fate of the two metropolitans of Aleppo, Pavlos Yazizi and
Ioannis Ibrahim, who disappeared just 6 years ago.
They also examined various issues concerning the Orthodox world
including the Ukrainian question and invited everyone to work for the
sacramental unity of the Eucharist, as it expresses the fullness of the
Church in Christ and in order to protect the faithful and places of
worship from all forms of provocation.
They also emphasized that they will continue to work together,
observing that if differences arise temporarily in the Orthodox world,
the Church remains united, because it refers to its Head, who is Our
Lord.
Two considerations emerged from this important meeting
Firstly, there is no longer any talk of calling a Pan-Orthodox synod
over the Ukrainian question, and secondly, for the good of the faithful
no to the sacramental interruption of the Eucharist over administrative
disputes.
And right here in Cyprus, the patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem met
on the margins of the meeting in order to make peace on the question of
Qatar, which arose in 2013. Relations between Antioch and Jerusalem had
soured, because Jerusalem appointed its bishop in Qatar, considered a
canonical territory belonging to Antioch. Thus Antioch interrupted
Eucharistic sacramental unity with Jerusalem and did not participate in
the work of the pan-Orthodox Synod of Crete (2016), due to the very
presence of Jerusalem.
According to well-informed sources, with their meeting the two
primates did not resolve the issue, but at the same time and according
to the subsequent statement - the use of the interruption of the
Eucharistic sacramental communion should not be used as an instrument of
political pressure - full communion between the two Churches will be
re-established.
Perhaps this also opens up new perspectives for the Ukrainian
question, already suggested by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on
the day of the ordination of the new Ukrainian primate Epifanios, that
is, to allow the faithful, if they wish to stay under the jurisdiction
of his Brother Kyrill.