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The clergy of the Chicago and Detroit Diocese of the Russian Church Outside Russia support the reconciliation process in the Russian Church

23.03.2005 · English, Архив 2005  

A conference of the Chicago and Detroit Diocese of the Russian Church Outside Russia was held on March 23, 2005. It was attended by Archbishop Alypy of Chicago and Detroit, Bishop Peter of Cleveland and twenty clergy of the diocese. Among the highlights of the meeting was the address of Bishop Longin of Gracanica (Serbian Orthodox Church) who is in charge of  pastoral care for the Serbian parishes in Northern America. His Grace Longin spoke of the history of division in the Serbian Orthodox Church which began in 1963 when the Diocese of America and Canada separated itself from the Serbian Church giving as reason for this step what it believed to be her subjection to the godless regime. His Grace Longin noted that the healing of the Serbian Church happened in 1992 through Divine Providence and expressed hope for a speedy reunification of the Russian Church Outside Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate.

 

The position of the clergy of the Chicago Diocese was reflected in the resolution of the pastoral conference. It states in particular:

 

 

‘We continue to support all efforts past and present towards the reconciliation of the Russian Church. We are inspired by the outpouring of faith and fervor exhibited by the Russian people during the recent visit of the relics of the New Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara. During their short visit to Russia, millions of people took the opportunity to venerate the relics of these holy women: We rejoice at this example of cooperation between the two parts of the Russian Church (as well as others, such as the joint efforts in Beslan) and we hope that the fervor of the faithful in Russia will inspire our flock to emulate such piety and zeal.

 

‘We encourage our faithful to take part in pilgrimages to Russia and visit the significant holy places there so tied to the lives and sufferings of the New Martyrs such as Butovo, Ekaterinburg, and Solovki. We would strongly support, if it were God’s will, a reciprocal visit of holy items from Russia to our diocese. Likewise, we hope that as unexpected misunderstandings arise between our Churches, they will continue to be settled face to face so as not to undermine such long-awaited and essential accomplishments.

 

‘We recognize that the process of reconciliation has been somewhat slow, but fortunately steady. We realize that the process by which reconciliation will take place will be largely determined by the upcoming All-Diaspora Council presently being planned by our Church for spring 2006. :we pray for the work of all involved and hope for a fruitful and swift reconciliation built on truth, oneness of mind and faith, brotherly love, and an understanding of local practical realities.

 

‘We call our flock also to such prayer, a prayer reminiscent of the prayer our Lord uttered nearly 2000 years ago: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21) It is our hope that a unified Russian Church will provide for yet a greater witness of Orthodoxy throughout the world and to those who have yet to learn of the saving truth of Orthodox Christianity in our diocese’

 

 

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