Ecclesial Crisis in Ukraine: and its Solution According to the Sacred Canons

The Russian Orthodox Church broke communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2018 due to the latter's intention to create an autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This new ecclesial body, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), remains unrecognised by the majority of Orthodox believers. In a text, Metropolitan Nikephoros of the Kykkos monastery explains why the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have created a schism in the Orthodox Church and calls for a return to inter-Orthodox relations that respect both conciliarity and hierarchy. This is essential reading for Orthodox believers to understand the Ukrainian crisis and its ecclesiological implications.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 05 June 2021
Publisher: Holy Trinity Publications

The Russian Orthodox Church severed ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the fall of 2018, after the latter announced its intention to establish an autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). A formal council was held in Kiev in December of that year, resulting in the formation of this new ecclesial body from two Ukrainian groups previously considered schismatic by all Orthodox churches worldwide. This action was taken without any attempt by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to seek consensus from all Orthodox churches before proceeding.

Over two years later, the OCU remains unrecognized by the vast majority of Orthodox believers worldwide, despite being recognized as Orthodox by the Patriarchate of Alexandra and the Churches of Cyprus and Greece. However, even this recognition has been met with significant dissenting voices. One such voice is that of Metropolitan Nikephoros, the Abbot of the renowned Kykkos monastery in Cyprus. In this concise text, Metropolitan Nikephoros eloquently explains why the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have caused a schism in the Orthodox Church worldwide and how they reflect the promotion of a new ecclesiology that distorts the traditional understanding of the Orthodox Church as led solely by Christ Himself. He is clear that the only path to healing and the end of this schism is a return to inter-Orthodox relations that respect both conciliarity and hierarchy.

Metropolitan Nikephoros emphasizes his utmost respect for the historical place of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and expresses hope that it will return to its rightful place within the plurality of the Orthodox Church. He calls for a renewed commitment to dialogue and cooperation among all Orthodox churches, with the ultimate goal of preserving the unity and integrity of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 179 x 292 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781942699415