ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

December meeting of the Presbytery of the Vicariate

On Saturday 9th December 2006, Bishop Basil met again with clergy in the Vicarage of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Moscow Road, by kind invitation of Bishop Theodoritos of Nazianzen. Fourteen clergy gathered, and apologies were received from four more. 

Bishop Basil reported on the conference at St Andrew’s Holborn on 18th November, and summarised the talk he had given, which took a synoptic view of the joint experience of the Russian Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Western Europe since the beginning of the twentieth century. He pointed out that at the beginning of the century, the Patriarchate of Moscow had accepted the ‘primacy’ of Constantinople in Western Europe, but that by the mid-1920s the position of Constantinople was being ignored. As a result of the upheavals of the twentieth century (the Revolution, the Greek invasion of Turkey and the consequent expulsion of most of the Greek population from Turkey, the Second World War and the flight of East Europeans from Communism together with the flight of Christians from the Middle East) a number of Orthodox Churches had embraced a doctrine of ‘radical autocephaly’.

According to this view, only an Ecumenical Council is above the head of an autocephalous Church The result of this has to be that there is no ongoing supervision of common issues in between councils of the whole Church.  This is the chief problem facing the Orthodox Church today.

A number of points were noted in discussion.  Canons giving the right of appeal to a higher authority are another important aspect of the relationship between bishops and between Patriarchates. These canons are not restricted to Chalcedon 9 and 17, and the principle of appeal is found at every level.  This principle needs defending. Bishop Basil then spoke about recent conflicts in France between the Patriarchate of Moscow and the Archdiocese of Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe.

Bishop Basil pointed out that the Ecumenical Patriarch will be visiting the UK on 29-30 January in connection with the completion of the second series of theological discussions between the Orthodox and the Anglican Churches.  The Patriarch will be present at the celebration of Vespers at Agia Sophia Cathedral at 6.30pm. on Monday, 29 January 2007, and will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Wood Green on Tuesday morning, 30 January.

Reports from communities were received.  These indicated in general that:

• the situation is stabilising, and parish rolls are holding steady or increasing.
• another community has joined, and a second is pending. 
• where communities split during the summer, those who held with the Vicariate are showing increased unity. 
• exploration is continuing in London for a church which can give space at a sustainable rent during the increased Lenten services, for the Parish of the Dormition of the Mother of God. 
• gaps in our clergy are being filled by more ordinations.
• relations with Moscow Patriarchate communities are variable.  Adverse attitudes encouraged by the Moscow hierarchy are causing tensions in some places;  in others, collaboration has continued though at a fairly low level. 
• people from the former Soviet Union continue to join us, responding to our multi-ethnic profile.  Multilingual catechism continues where it is needed, while avoiding emphasis on groups which are nationally or ethnically uniform. 
• the problem of dividing the assets with the Diocese of Sourozh remains, but the Charity Commission is fully aware of the problem, and progress is hoped for in the new year. 

The website committee was reviewed and general editorial responsibility was placed in the hands of Fr Alexander Williams and Protodeacon Peter Scorer  (for the Russian content). They would consult whoever had appropriate experience as necessary.  Procedures are to be worked out with Bishop Basil, who would retain overall control.

The next meeting is scheduled for 24th February 2007.