Moscow and Kiev strengthen Orthodox Ties
Milena Faustova
3/5/2011
An opinion poll conducted in Ukraine by the Institute of Sociology shows that almost 50 percent of Ukrainians put their trust in the Russian Orthodox Church. The results were released on the eve of the visit to Ukraine of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill in view of the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. His visit ran from the 25th to the 27th of April.
According to the poll, almost 50 percent of the residents of Ukraine consider themselves as members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate – the only canonic Church that has been recognized by all Orthodox Churches across the world. For comparison, it must be said that a little more than 20 percent of the faithful are linked to the dissident Church. In short, the significance of the Russian Orthodox Church has increased in the past years, while the dissident sentiment is falling.
It’s too early to say that the inter-Church division has been overcome, of course, but there is a clear cut trend. Unlike other churches, the Russian Orthodox Church unites the people in Ukraine, says spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Vasily Anisimov:
“In these days when we marked the tragic date of the Chernobyl disaster, we all have witnessed how the Russian Orthodox Church unites all of us. This is very important at a time when the Russian Orthodox Church inspires both the society and the government. I hope the Russian Orthodox Church will resume its social mission in Ukraine,” Vasily Anisimov said.
Many experts say that the ongoing stabilization in inter-Church relations, which worsened in the early 90s, was triggered by the change in government. It’s no secret that the anti-Russian sentiment in the republic was caused by its leaders since it gained independence. In an attempt to distance itself away from the Kremlin, the Ukrainian authorities tried to break off all relations with the Moscow Patriarchate. With the election of Victor Yanukovich as president, the nationalist idea ceased to get the government’s backing. Largely, this has established harmony in relations between Russia and Ukraine not only in politics but also in the spiritual area. To this end, the position assumed by Patriarch Kirill played a significant role. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has said more than once that the Church has never laid claims on the political views of the faithful but has always attempted to preserve a spiritual unity. In this sense, the Chernobyl tragedy has become an example of people’s unity, emphasized Patriarch Kirill during his sermon in Chernobyl:
“Russians, Ukrainians, and Byelorussians lent their shoulders to each other. They fought against the tragedy together. This was an amazing example of solidarity of people against a common enemy. Let this remain in our memory for ever and let it inspire us in preserving brotherly relations between each other! Let the borders between the countries never divide our people, who are spiritually united and largely, Orthodox faithful!” Patriarch Kirill said.
Since 2008, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church has visited Ukraine each year after a ten-year break. The visits to various dioceses of Patriarch Kirill and his meeting with faithful, sermons and liturgies have inspired hope in Ukrainians that the Church did not abandon them and is ready to support them in any situation. Moreover, the Moscow Patriarchate is now ready to implement several social missionary programmes, which will be launched in Ukraine shortly.
This year, Patriarch Kirill plans to visit Ukraine twice. Early May, he will pay an official visit to the Kharkov diocese and in the summer, he will traditionally head the ceremonies devoted to the introduction of Christianity to Russia that are held on the 28th of June in memory of the Prince of Kiev, St. Vladimir – the Christianiser of Russia.
