The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement on Saturday that it condemned the decision made by Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, to appoint two of his representatives as exarchs to Ukraine, which is a canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th September, 2018) The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement on Saturday that it condemned the decision made by Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, to appoint two of his representatives as exarchs to Ukraine, which is a canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church expresses its vigorous protest and deep outrage concerning the communique of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople's office, published on September 7, 2018, which announced the appointment of two bishops of that Church � Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (United States) and Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton (Canada) as exarchs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Kiev," the statement read.
According to the statement, the decision was taken without securing consent of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Metropolitan Onufriy, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and was thus a "gross violation of church canons."
"In explanation of his meddling into the affairs of another local church, the Constantinople Patriarch cites false interpretations of historic facts, and refers to the exclusive powers that he claims he has, but he in fact has not and has never had. These actions lead the relations between the Russian Church and the Constantinople Church into deadlock, and pose real threat to the unity of word's Orthodox Christianity," the statement read.
According to the statement, the Russian Orthodox Church would take responsive measures in the nearest future.
However, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople believes that all the orthodox churches should comply with its decisions, according to Archbishop's adviser.
