Meeting of the Joint Commission of the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches on Schisms

MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMISSION OF THE RUSSIAN AND SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES ON SCHISMS

The Joint Commission of the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches on Schism met on February 18-19, 2003, at Novi Sad, with the blessings of Patriarchs Alexy of Moscow and All Russian and Paul of Serbia.

The meeting was attended by Archbishop Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, first vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, Bishop Irinej of Backa, member of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, and Dr. Nenad Milosevic, Doctor of Canon Law, Theological Faculty in Belgrade. Among the participants were also Metropolitan Amfilohije of Crna Gora and Primorje and Rev. Vasily Petrov, lecturer at the Kaluga Seminary.

The Commission noted that the Supreme Authorities of the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches were satisfied with the outcome of the first meeting of the Commission, which took place on June 26-27, 2002, in Moscow, and expressed hope that the continued cooperation would bring good fruit in the task of asserting Orthodox unity.

The sides exchanged new information concerning the activity of non-canonical groups acting in the territory of both the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches and in other parts of the world. It was noted that in the life of schismatic groups there were both continued internal conflicts and further fragmentation and attempts to unite efforts to oppose the canonical church order.

It was decided to continue regular exchange of information about the activity of non-canonical entities. The participants considered it to be useful to establish expert groups in Local Orthodox Churches for examining schisms. Communication between these groups could help to inform the Supreme Authorities in good time and to make joint steps for healing schisms.

The Commission considered steps taken by some Local Churches and recognized them as dangerous for the preservation of the God-commanded canonical order. It was recognized that the establishment of parallel hierarchical structures within sister Churches stands in apparent contradiction to the holy canons and creates in fact new church schisms. It is inadmissible to substitute attempts to solve disputable problems in inter-Orthodox relations through fraternal dialogue for appeals to secular organizations, which presents a serious threat to Orthodox unity and the well-being of the Holy Churches of God. The Commission regards such actions as manifestations of ethnic philetism bordering on heretical deviation from the universal nature of the Orthodox church order.

Another threat to the Church comes from the direct or indirect support given to non-canonical structures by some hierarchs of the canonical Local Churches, who breach the church discipline by keeping contacts with schismatics through messages, official visits, joint prayers. This causes a great temptation among the people of God and creates an obstacle for fraternal fellowship among Local Churches and reunification of the fallen-away communities with the Orthodox Plenitude.

It was recognized as inadmissible that any of the Local Church should use the plausible pretext of appeasement and overcoming a schism to negotiate with schismatics who have fallen away from another Local Church without asking her consent and sometimes even failing to notify her. It is all the more inadmissible that such schismatics should be admitted to canonical communion ignoring the Mother Church.

The Commission noted with satisfaction that the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches in their relations showed solidarity and fraternal mutual support in defending the canonical church order against the damage brought by schismatic activities. Representatives of the Russian Church expressed special gratitude to Patriarch Paul of Serbia and hierarchs of the Serbian Patriarchate for their support of church unity in Ukraine and their clear canonical position on the situation in Estonia. Serbian church representatives, in their turn, described as very constructive and clear the position taken by Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia on the settlement of the status of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and other problems facing the Serbian Patriarchate. The Commission worked out plans for further actions to be taken to overcome the existing divisions.

The Commission continued its study of the typology of schisms and limits for using church oikonomy in various situations. It was emphasized that the primary motive for the Church in choosing a particular pastoral approach lies in concern for the salvation of the souls of people, especially those who are not guilty personally of creating a schism.

The Commission also discussed prospects for achieving a pan-Orthodox consensus on the matter of church autocephaly. It was recognized that this consensus should be built on the basis of careful consideration of the two basic factors: the will of a Mother Church and consensus among Local Sister Churches. Neglect of these factors creates a threat to Orthodox unity and can lead to canonical anarchy.

The questions concerning the granting of autocephaly and autonomy and the so-called Orthodox diaspora were discussed in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual understanding. The importance of achieving a pan-Orthodox position on this problem and the danger of one-sided actions as presenting a serious obstacle for the Orthodox witness in the world were emphasized.

It was noted with regret that there were people in various Churches, including those who are in holy orders or monastic robes, who, because of insufficiency of their theological education and spiritual experience, tend to fall into self-importance and form pseudo-zealous groups who dare accuse the Supreme Authorities of all kinds of heresy. Thus preconditions are created for the emergence of new schisms within Local Churches. It was recognized that in this situation it was necessary to take care of the quality of pastoral and spiritual guidance.

The Commission discussed in detail plans for holding an international scholarly conference to make an in-depth analysis of the problem of schisms in the Orthodox Church, to consider possible ways of coming out of critical situations caused by the activity of non-canonical groups and to develop proposals for healing schisms and overcome the negative consequences of their existence.

A proposal was voiced to involve in the conference a broad range of theologians and church leaders representing various Local Orthodox Church, as well as scholars and representatives of the public.

The members of the Commission were received by His Holiness Patriarch Paul of Serbia. Participating in the reception were also members of the Holy Bishops’ Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church.