Written by Alex Gorka; Originally appeared on strategic-culture.org
US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback has visited Ukraine. On Sept. 11 he was received by President Poroshenko. The ambassador seized the opportunity to offer assurances that Washington would continue to support the idea of an independent Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), despite the fact that that institution is currently under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow. The UAOC has asked for a separation and to be granted autocephalous status, thus recognizing its ecclesiastical independence. Last April Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirmed Kiev’s traditional links to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
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On September 2, the Council of Bishops of the Church of Constantinople confirmed that the Constantinople Patriarchate, the first among equals in Orthodox Christianity, may grant autocephaly without obtaining prior approval. That council began the procedure to enable the Church of Ukraine to be recognized as autocephalous without delay. Shortly after the confirmation, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew appointed two representatives as exarchs, or envoys, to prepare for the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His position is clear and he did not hesitate to take this action that brings a declaration of ecclesiastical independence for the Church in Ukraine one step closer. Bishop Illarion and Bishop Daniel who were chosen for the mission are known for their anti-Russian views.
This is a flagrant violation of the canonical domain of the Moscow Patriarchy. The Greek Patriarchate did not even inform Moscow of the decision. A third of the Russian Orthodox Church’s 35,000 parishes are in Ukraine. Obviously this move will create an enormous schism in Orthodox Christianity, comparable to the rupture between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in 1054 (the East-West schism). Some Orthodox Churches will recognize the independence of Ukraine’s Church, while others will reject it.
Actually, there will now be three Orthodox Churches in Ukraine: the Kiev Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church, and the Moscow Patriarchate, in addition to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which has many followers in the western part of the country. All of Ukraine will be divided along religious lines just to make it easier for the US to accomplish its goal of subjugating that nation through a “divide and rule’ policy.
The schism will not be limited just to Russia and Ukraine. If the decision to separate the Churches is implemented, the Russian Church may have no choice but to sever relations with Constantinople. The entire Greek Orthodox world would be divided.
The intentions of the Holy Synod of Constantinople are understandable. The Russian Orthodox Church is the biggest in the world. The Holy Synod has seized this opportunity to weaken its rival and to assert itself as the leader of the Orthodox world. Ambassador Brownback’s visit confirms the fact that the US wants this schism to take place. This is one way to weaken the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church among the Slavic nations and to create an alternative to it in Kiev, thus sidelining the Russian Church in the Orthodox world. Washington wants to see a rollback of Moscow on all fronts.
This is happening at a time when US policy is shifting in favor of expanding military assistance to Ukraine. US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker confirmed this US commitment before his visit to Ukraine on Sept. 13. He arrived right after Mr. Brownback. Kiev is playing host to one US envoy after another. The very frequency of these visits is curious. Evidently something’s cooking.
All this is added to the US support of Ukraine at a time of heightened tensions, as the situation in the Azov Sea, a real tinderbox, keeps on deteriorating. Ukraine has just boosted its military presence there. Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Colonel General Serhiy Popko brought this up on Sept. 11. Ukraine has a foreign military presence on its soil, as well as an official NATO status. The US is using Ukraine for its own economic and political ends. Ukrainian President Poroshenko has just tabled a bill to amend the constitution paving the way for NATO and EU membership. He wants it sealed and the parliament is to consider the amendments next week.
Washington is looking for ways to slow Russia’s growing strength, independence, and influence. A large country that is openly hostile to Moscow while sharing a long border with Russia fits that bill nicely. This policy will hardly help Ukraine become more prosperous or secure. Seizing each and every opportunity to emphasize its independence, Kiev is happily playing the role of a marionette being controlled by Washington.
Despicable, only the US would think breaking up nations on ethno-religious lines is a good idea.
Ukraine isn’t a nation, but an abomination that recieved territories not associated with artificial “ukrainian” identity as a bribe.
Ok, so the red line of story is, that 4 concurent churches are competing each other which of them will be oppressing and brainwashing innocent religious sheep and lambs in Ukraine. That’s the bad news. The good news is, that any of that four churches can be hardly worse then Pervert-Catholic-Pedophile-Vatican squad oppressing and brainwashing West for centuries. And spicy and juicy fact in the end. Even ex-communist and atheistic Russia has one church in the competition to spread their influence in Ukraine. Pathetic.
Russia has both religious and non-religious people, like other countries.
The Jews have been doing this for centuries if not thousands of years. They create internal divisions within a united force and cause them to fight one another (Divide and Conquer). They are also experts at rewriting history, and creating fake made up identities and nations. Many of the “nations” that exist today are literally products of this Jewish tactic. They are so good at doing this that most of the people living in those nations have no idea that their entire identity and world view has been a made up fake Jewish creation.
Ukraine is a failed state. It is corrupted even more then in Yanukowitch era, controlled by western propaganda and corporations and mafia and private military contractors. I suppose Ukraine can’t fall much deeper. Even if Yanks manage to shred this puppet “country” to parts as they did it to former Yugoslavia. The last bits of civilization left from USSR period died long time ago in Ukraine. They wanted colour revolution and freedom and democracy and became russophobic. I hope they are enjoying consequences now.
Bravo. F*ck the wanters of Colour Revolution. They are all now cheap labour and whores in Europe. This is what happens when you allow certain people in power who hunger for dollars more than the welfare of the country. Hang the Maidan- tossers as well!
Don’t be silly. The situation described in the article is a matter between Christian groups. Jews worship the God of Abraham but are not Christians and have no say in Christian affairs.
Yeah because the current head of Jewkraine who is a Jew is actually a Christian somehow. Also ignore the fact that the entire Ukrainian color revolution was a Jewish Neo-con project.
Will there be a vote, of course not, the will of the people is the greatest threat to the American regime.
Actually, parishes in Ukraine are owned by parishioners themself, but it won’t prevent raider takeovers.
Politicians decide over matters of the church when the whole idea of the church is independence and clean cut separation from any and all politics. Jesus described them all as Pharisees, occupied with business, gold and power plays, unworthy to the bible´s teachings. https://youtu.be/kLCSVjHKQjk
The church is just another form of politics. Jesus condemned those who proclaimed they represented God.
;-). “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence …For you …indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness …You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:25-28).
Well that policy worked well in the Balkans and btw it is a European (Vatican) invention US is just using it atm
Absolutely true. Vatican and germano -austrians were always behind splitting Balkans and Slavs even if US is the tool being used at the moment.
Murder of Donbass leader committed with help of Western intelligence services – DPR acting head… https://www.rt.com/news/438513-donbass-leader-assasination-donetsk/
Big mistake by Patriarch Bartholomew. I have heard he is pro- American and has contacts with CIA via ex -cia agents working there such as Fuller, a jewish guy and a greek -american agent/priest -yes,they exist-called carusos? Either way, i was happy to see him undermine Erdogan…if true.
Yet ,this tactic is no good. I wonder if Erdogan and US both have the screws into him for their diff reasons. The Fact that there are more Orthodox in Russia is not a good enough reason Bart! There are more Catholics outside The Vatican yet the Vatican is still the head of all Catholics! Big mistake Patriarch Bart.
Not a mistake, integrity of christendom just isn’t in his interests. As a ROC parishioner I’m also convinced it’s not in russian hierarchy’s interests as well. Former patriarch Alexis secretary says Bartolomew is a freemason of Proodos lodge.
This move by the godless Western leaders and the Ecumenical Patriarch is nothing shirt of demonic.
“US ENCOURAGING THE FREEDOM OF UKRAINE – ALONG RELIGIOUS LINES – FROM RUSSIA” Fixed it.
“US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom” There is something disgusting in this title in it self!!!