Dear MEL Topic Readers
Russian Orthodox Church cuts all links with Constantinople
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe that became independent in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved. The country’s population is a little over 40 million, excluding Crimea, which was annexed to Russia in 2014. Ethnically, the vast majority of the population is Ukrainians and the dominant religion is the Orthodox Catholic Church, or The Eastern Orthodox Church. Traditionally, the Russian Orthodox Church has regarded Ukraine’s parishes under its jurisdiction.
However, The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, or simply Constantinople, which plays a role of the Mother Church of most modern Orthodox churches, has recently recognized the independence of the Ukrainian Church from Moscow. This decision is seen as the most historic Orthodox separation since the schism with Catholicism back in 1054.
Surely, the Russian Orthodox Church is not happy about this split and is fiercely criticizing the decision, especially when the territorial dispute over Crimea is unresolved. For Ukrainians, this is an endorsement of independence from Russia’s influence religiously at least.
Will there be then any influence on the political relationship between Russia and Turkey?
Enjoy reading and learn about this historic schism of the millennium-old the Orthodox Catholic Church.
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