Jerusalem Patriarch calls all to unity, condemns schism in Ukraine

Moscow, June 6, 2017

Photo: rusdm.ru Photo: rusdm.ru
Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem spoke on Pentecost Sunday at the patronal feast of the main church of the Moscow Patriarch in the Holy Land, the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Jerusalem, reports the press service of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission (Moscow Patriarchate) in Jerusalem.

Condemning the continual attempts by the schismatic and non-canonical “Kiev Patriarchate” to take over the churches of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the Ukraine, His Beatitude said, “The unity of the Church is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to preserve and strengthen it. The destruction of this unity is a serious crime.”

“We condemn in the most categorical terms those who are committing actions directed against the parishes of the canonical Orthodox Church in the Ukraine. Not in vain do the holy fathers remind us that the violation of the Church’s unity is the gravest sin.

“May the Holy Spirit, which descended upon Christ’s disciples on this day, enlighten our minds and hearts, and grant us the strength to preserve this precious gift of Church unity, entrusted to us by God’s Providence.

6/7/2017

See also
Patriarch Bartholomew tells Ukrainian PM that Constantinople will help build single Church in Ukraine Patriarch Bartholomew tells Ukrainian PM that Constantinople will help build single Church in Ukraine Patriarch Bartholomew tells Ukrainian PM that Constantinople will help build single Church in Ukraine Patriarch Bartholomew tells Ukrainian PM that Constantinople will help build single Church in Ukraine
“We pray that the Ukrainian people would be united in one Church. The Mother Church of Constantinople will help you find such a united Church,” His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting in the offices of the patriarchate in Constantinople on March 15. Schismatics must repent—Met. Gabriel of Lovech Schismatics must repent—Met. Gabriel of Lovech Schismatics must repent—Met. Gabriel of Lovech Schismatics must repent—Met. Gabriel of Lovech
The basis of any split is pride, Met. Gabriel emphasized, although of course anyone can return and confess and ask forgiveness at any time. “This is the only way—there can be no other, in my opinion,” he said. Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly Ukrainian leaders seek Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly
Meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch in August, two former Ukrainian presidents delivered to him a petition of 5,000 signatures, seeking autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
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