The Serbian churches in Montenegro and Macedonia believe that the recognition of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would be a dangerous precedent, and they hope that this will not happen. With this subtitle, the current issue of Politika, one of the most authoritative Serbian publications, appeared on the front page.
The real threat looms over the unity of the Orthodox world, and the relationship of the most influential Patriarchs – the Ecumenical and the Moscow – has reached an impasse, – the author of the statement from the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church cites the situation around Ukraine. As a confirmation of the fact that the dispute concerns the entire Orthodox world, the letter of the Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus, which he sent to Patriarch Bartholomew, is also cited.
The Serbian patriarch expressed fears about the unity of Orthodoxy and compared the situation in Ukraine, where, in addition to the canonical church of the Moscow Patriarchate, there is also a non-canonical church, with developments in Montenegro and Macedonia, that is, in territories where the Serbian Orthodox Church is canonically present.
The interlocutors of the “Politics” from Montenegro and Macedonia said that granting autocephaly would be a dangerous precedent, although they note that there is a difference between the two countries and Ukraine.
Archbishop Jovan (Vranishkovski), the head of the Archdiocese of Ohrid Archdiocese of the SPT, recalled the following canon: if the situation in the church lasts longer than 30 years, it does not change, unless the two churches are the one that wants to change the situation and the one under whose jurisdiction is the first, – will not agree to change.
“I think that the situation in Ukraine is just an attempt, and it will not reach the real provision of autocephaly, because this will provoke changes in the entire Orthodox world,” said the priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia.
Protopriest Velibor (Djomich) from Montenegro, without a dilemma, answers that recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church can lead to recognition of the so-called. Montenegrin Orthodox Church.
“In no case can the question of autocephaly in Montenegro be on the agenda, for there are no canonical grounds.” The eyes and ears of the Montenegrin schismatics are now being turned to Constantinople. “
The Protherey notes that in this situation there is a unique difference between Montenegro: unlike in Ukraine and Macedonia, the existing church hierarchy did not break away, but a whole system of “self-proclaimed priests” appeared.
Nevertheless, the interlocutor also talks about an important point that is common for all disputed three countries.
“We are talking about the influence of ideological groups that, for the sake of ideological and party impersonal interests, create a church schism out of political goals.”
Earlier, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church made clear on the Ukrainian question.
“The Serbian Orthodox Church fully supports the unity and integrity of the Russian Orthodox Church and condemns the activities of the Uniates and splitters,” said Patriarch Irenaeus in Moscow, who are helping the Ukrainian schismatics, not only the enemy of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian world, but all Orthodox and Slavic peoples.