More on ROCOR & the MP

Russian Metropolitan in US hails unity with Moscow Patriarchate
Itar-Tass

JORDANVILLE, NY, June 6 (Itar-Tass) - First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Metropolitan Laurus, sees the Lord’s mercy in the results of ROCOR’s recent All-Diaspora Council and the Council of Bishops that adopted a line at canonical and eucharistic reunification with the Russian Orthodox Church reporting to Moscow Patriarchate.

As he spoke in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass in the Holy Trinity monastery in Jordanville, NY, His Eminence Laurus said he was glad to see those results.

He indicated, however, he could not tell yet where, when and how the much-hoped-for reunification might take place.

“We didn’t discuss anything on the issue yet,” His Eminence said speaking of himself and ROCOR’s other hierarchs.

In any case, he proceeds from the assumption that a bilateral commission on negotiations will get together soon again.

The commission has the power of refining the Act on Canonical Communication between the two Churches and to settle some outstanding problems.

Commission members will also have to map out the procedure for signing the document, as His Eminence Laurus believes a special gala ceremony must be organized for it.

He declined to discuss in detail the problems still requiring coordination but singled out ecumenism – the practice of communications among and major international gatherings of the Christians of all denominations.

Such practices “give rise to recurrent questions,” His Eminence said. ROCOR rejects those communications.

All references to the power that dialogue between various confessions ostensibly gives in defending the positions of Eastern Orthodoxy do not look convincing, he said.

Suffice it to recall that none of the partners in that fictitious dialogue changed over to the positions of Orthodox Christianity over the past decades, His Eminence Laurus said.

As for the assistance provided by ecumenical organizations, it looks very selective, he said, adding that, surprisingly, the World Council of Churches did nothing to help the oppressed Christians in the former Yugolasvia, and primarily the Kosovo Serbs who espouse Orthodoxy.

His Eminence Laurus also sounded cautious as he spoke about re-emerging contacts between Moscow Patriarchate and the Vatican.

He believes, for instance, that a pontifical visit to Russia – something that Holy See was seeking to organize back in the period of Pope John Paul’s pontificate – might exert bad impact on relations between Moscow Patriarchate and ROCOR.

His Eminence Laurus explained, however, that he had no personal power of deciding on slowdown moves in terms of the pace of reunification, saying full power on such decision-making is vested in the Council of Bishops.

He indicated, though, the information at his disposal did not suggest the presence of any exact plans regarding a possible pontifical trip to Russia.

His Eminence Laurus confirmed that ROCOR hierarchs believe it would be logical to crown the reunification process with the convocation of an All-Russia Church Council.

“Our people, our bishops live with that hope in their hearts,” he said.

ROCOR has its own parishes on the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church reporting to Moscow Patriarchate and it would like to keep them up after reunification is formalized, His Eminence Laurus said.

He made it clear, though, that ROCOR’s Synod is ready to settle any problems once they emerge in that context.

The bridging of a tragic divide that appeared in the once united Russian Orthodox Church during the decades of Bolshevist rule would have effects going beyond the boundaries of the Church as such, His Eminence Laurus said.

It would signal moral recuperation of society, he said.

His Eminence Laurus reaffirmed that, to the best of its ability – which is not all-embracing – ROCOR is ready to help improve attitudes towards Russia around the world.