The Holy Synod of the Russian Church Abroad is meeting in NY and is expected to finish its business on Thursday. Its very possible they will give formal approval to the Act on Canonical Communion. Pray for all concerned and stay tuned.
Richard, Thank you for your kind comment about my blog. The Act of Canonical Communion is the negotiated agreement by which it is proposed to end the long schism between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR aka the Russian Church Abroad) and the Russian Orthodox Church (within Russia). The tragic schism arose as a result of the horrible persecution of the Church in Russia under the communists. During the communist era the Church was not only persecuted it was also so closely controlled by the atheist state that many outside of Russia saw it as compromised to the point where communion was not possible. There were some very bitter feelings on both sides of this schism. So much so, that it has taken more than fifteen years since the fall of the communist empire for the two sides to start talking again. Adding to this unfortunate situation has been a gradual self isolation on the part of the Church Abroad from the other canonical Orthodox Churches over the last several decades. Today ROCOR is in communion with only two of the world's 15 autocephalous Orthodox Churches (the Serbian Church and the Jerusalem Patriarchate). By restoring their ties with the mother church in Russia and placing themselves under the primacy of the Patriarch of Moscow they will be healing a lot of wounds and taking a huge step towards normalizing their relationship with the rest of the Orthodox Christian world. While or the sake of brevity I skipped some of the details on points of disagreement, I hope this generally answers your question.
Am new to Orthodoxy, being catechized by an abbot, attending a ROCOR Church. This is very good news. Please pray for me as I am giving up Anglicanism and the priesthood for this Pearl of Great Price. CSMA
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteNice blog.
What is the Act of Canonical Communion?
Thanks,
Richard Froggatt
Richard,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment about my blog. The Act of Canonical Communion is the negotiated agreement by which it is proposed to end the long schism between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR aka the Russian Church Abroad) and the Russian Orthodox Church (within Russia). The tragic schism arose as a result of the horrible persecution of the Church in Russia under the communists. During the communist era the Church was not only persecuted it was also so closely controlled by the atheist state that many outside of Russia saw it as compromised to the point where communion was not possible. There were some very bitter feelings on both sides of this schism. So much so, that it has taken more than fifteen years since the fall of the communist empire for the two sides to start talking again. Adding to this unfortunate situation has been a gradual self isolation on the part of the Church Abroad from the other canonical Orthodox Churches over the last several decades. Today ROCOR is in communion with only two of the world's 15 autocephalous Orthodox Churches (the Serbian Church and the Jerusalem Patriarchate). By restoring their ties with the mother church in Russia and placing themselves under the primacy of the Patriarch of Moscow they will be healing a lot of wounds and taking a huge step towards normalizing their relationship with the rest of the Orthodox Christian world. While or the sake of brevity I skipped some of the details on points of disagreement, I hope this generally answers your question.
ICXC
John
Thanks John, it indeed does. Praying for peace.
ReplyDeleteRichard
Am new to Orthodoxy, being catechized by an abbot, attending a ROCOR Church. This is very good news. Please pray for me as I am giving up Anglicanism and the priesthood for this Pearl of Great Price.
ReplyDeleteCSMA
Congratulations and many years to you! Be assured of my prayers for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteICXC
John