Constantinople explains Synod's decision to dissolve archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Church

Constantinople explains Synod's decision to dissolve archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Church

Ukrinform
The decision by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to revoke the patriarchal tomos of 1999 by which it granted pastoral care and administration of Orthodox parishes of Russian tradition in Western Europe to His Archbishop-Exarch is a sign of care for believers and is aimed at optimizing intra-church management processes.

"We are here to reassure the pious faithful of the parishes of Russian tradition in Western Europe and their communities. It is by pastoral concern that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has decided to integrate and connect parishes to the various holy cities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the countries where they are located. Our Mother Church will continue to ensure and guarantee the preservation of their liturgical and spiritual tradition," the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement on its Facebook page. 

The document says that the decision responds to the needs of the present. 

"This decision responds to the pastoral and spiritual needs of our time, with the greatest respect for canonical law and the spiritual responsibility that lies with us," the Patriarchate said.

According to the document, the "historical circumstances leading to its creation of such a structure in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of October 1917, just a hundred years ago, have evolved deeply."

"We are particularly pleased that the Mother Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has taken the responsibility to offer its canonical protection to these communities and thus allow them to enjoy, in accordance with the church order, a freedom synonymous with life in the Holy Spirit," reads the document.

Earlier media reports said that at a meeting of the Holy Synod in Istanbul, the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to dissolve the archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox churches in Western Europe. Later, this news was interpreted by some media outlets as the abolition of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is an error of judgment.

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