The Primate of the Gteek Orthodox Church resolutely supports the Ukranian Orthodox Church in its opposition to the schism

THE PRIMATE OF THE GTEEK ORTHODOX CHURCH RESOLUTELY SUPPORTS THE UKRANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN ITS OPPOSITION TO THE SCHISM

His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece officiated at the Divine Liturgy in the refectory church of Ss. Antony and Theodosy of the Laura of the Caves in Kiev. His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All the Ukraine, bishops and clergy of the Ukranian Orthodox Church, members of the delegation of the Greek Church in holy orders concelebrated with the Primate of the Greek Church.

After the Divine Liturgy His Beatitude Christodoulos delivered a speech. Addressing Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine, the Primate of the Greek Church said: “On behalf of the pleroma of the Greek Church we assure you that in your person we recognise the canonic Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, the only true keeper of apostolic succession in the Holy Orthodox Church of Ukraine together with the respected hierarchy, pious clergy and Ukranian people under your ecclesiastical leadership.

We know about sorrows and griefs you have been suffering from the splits and divisions. However, we know that the Lord brings His witness to all epochs. Every epoch had its martyrs and its saints. Today we are also called to witness and confess our faith, working in peace and love for the unity of the Church and for the returning of those who were taken astray.

You are not alone in your struggle. God’s grace and blessing, protection of the Holy Virgin, intercession of all the saints and the power of our prayers and prayers of all brothers in Christ all over the world are with you”-

After brotherly dinner in the Refectory of the Laura of the Caves in Kiev, the Primate of the Greek Church and his delegation, members of the Holy Synod of the Ukranian Orthodox Church headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine met with the deputy head of the Ukranian Presidential Administration A.F. Belov. Mr.Belov conveyed greetings of President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine to His Beatitude Christodoulos.

During the press conference for representatives of the Ukranian and foreign mass media given in the Refectory of the Laura of the Caves in Kiev His Beatitude Christodoulos said that the healing of the schism among the Orthodox faithful in Ukraine is possible only on the firm basis of the canons of the Holy Church, as any other decision is known to be as lacking of vitality. Answering questions of the journalists about the activity of the so-called “Kiev Patriarchate” in Greece the head of the Greek Church said: “There is no local Church that recognises the organisation headed by the former Metropolitan Filaret of Kiev”.

In connection with the questions of the canonical future of the Orthodoxy in Ukraine His Beatitude Christodoulos said: “The theme of autocephaly or autonomy has nothing to do with the existing schism, these are different questions. Whenthe unity on the canonical basis is established among the Ukranian Orthodox faithful, the question of the Church’s future can be considered. While there is no such a unity – there can not exist onward movement to autocephaly or autonomy”.

Making comments on the talks with the representatives of the Constaninople Patriarchate in Zurich, which took place last month, Metropolitan Agathangelos of Odessa and Ismail, who participated in them said: “I entirely agree with His Beatitude Christodoulos in his conviction that the unity is possible only on the canonical basis. During the talks in Zurich we arrived at the conclusion that we can heal the schism only in strict conformity with the canons and the Holy Tradition of the Church. Interference of the political authorities and considerations in the settlement of the Church questions may only cause difficulties in the process of making required decisions”.

The same day the delegation of the Greek Orthodox Church visited the Holy Caves of the Laura of the Caves in Kiev, the Cathedral of St.Sophia and other shrines of Kiev and met with the officials of the Greek Embassy and representatives of the Greek Community of Kiev.

After supper given in honour of the delegation by the bishop Pavel of Vyishgorod, Father Superior of the Laura of the Caves in Kiev, His Beatitude Christodoulos and his companions except representatives of the Metropolia of Patra left Kiev for Athens.