Western European Exarchate votes against its abrogation by Phanar
The General Assembly of the Archdiocese of Orthodox Russian Сhurches in Western Europe, by a majority vote, spoke out against its dissolution by Constantinople.
Of 206 delegates, only 15 people backed the decision of the Synod of Constantinople Patriarchate of November 27, 2018 to abolish the Archdiocese. This was written on his Facebook page by Alexander Zanemonets, the deacon of the Western European Exarchate.
“This is an official response to the Ecumenical Patriarch and the actual coming-out of subordination to him,” writes the clergyman. “However, the final decision on the future has not been made.”
He explains, “This is due to the fact that until the answer was given to the Ecumenical Patriarch – i.e. to this day – a number of churches were afraid to conduct official negotiations with the Archdiocese. This is the Romanian Church and the Orthodox Church in America."
According to him, negotiations are currently under way on the jurisdictional affiliation of the Archdiocese with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church in America.
“There were negotiations with the Russian Church Outside Russia. It looks like it is still not very clear. More detailed talks were conducted with the Russian Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. From meetings and correspondence with official representatives of Patriarch Kirill, it follows that the preservation of the autonomous status of the Archdiocese, the independent election of bishops (including several vicar ones) and the independence of parishes are guaranteed. Of course, the veneration of our saints and new martyrs, the mother Mary (Skobtsova) and others is preserved, too (albeit so far as “locally honored”). And all this is very important, including for those who are based in Russia,” explains the representative of the Western European Exarchate.
He added, “Opting out of our diocese in breaking the Eucharistic communion between Moscow and Constantinople is being discussed. All this is done at a fairly high level, with documented correspondence and minutes of negotiations.”
However, the priest writes for the time being there is no official document that could be provided for a particular discussion and vote, which may take a few more months. The decision must be made by 2/3 of the votes.
“According to His Eminence John (Archbishop John of Hariopolis (Reneto) – Ed.), the Archdiocese must return to its origins. In the case of its ban, Vladyka will begin to commemorate the Russian Patriarch. And we continue to commemorate our Archbishop,” he concluded.
As the UOJ reported, due to the meeting of the General Assembly of the Diocesan Union of the Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Adamakis) sent an official letter to the clergy to remain in the bosom of the Constantinople Patriarchate.
In December 2018, the Western European Exarchate refused to fulfill Phanar’s decision to dissolve the Archdiocese and transfer its clerics to the bosom of Constantinople.
On February 23, 2019, at the general meeting, the clergy of the Archdiocese will take a final decision on the issue of their subordination to whatever Church. Until then, the Exarchate of Russian Churches in Europe refuses to obey the Phanar’s metropolitans.
