Romanian Orthodox Church Opens Door to Ukrainian Communities
Basilica News– OCP News Service – 02/03/2024
Bucharest-Romania: The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, during its working session on February 29, 2024, announced a decision regarding Orthodox communities in Ukraine.
The Synod expressed blessing, encouragement, and support for the initiatives of Romanian Orthodox communities in Ukraine. These communities are seeking to reestablish communion with the Romanian Orthodox Church through a legal religious structure called the Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
This move comes amidst the ongoing ecclesiastical tensions surrounding the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The Romanian Orthodox Church has not recognized the autocephaly (independence) granted to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 2018.
Significance:
- This decision offers a potential path for Romanian Orthodox communities in Ukraine to realign with the Romanian Church while maintaining their legal and organizational structure.
- It could be seen as a gesture of openness from the Romanian Orthodox Church towards these communities.
- However, it also adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation within Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
Unresolved Issues:
- The stance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remains loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, towards this development is unclear.
- The recognition of the Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine by other Orthodox Churches remains to be seen.
Future Developments:
- It is uncertain how this decision will be implemented and what impact it will have on the overall situation in Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
- Further developments are expected as these communities work towards establishing the Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Source: Basilica News
