The autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine: its impact outside of Ukraine. Issue 3 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bordeianu, Radu
• Is Part Of: Canadian Slavonic papers. Volume 62:Issue 3/4(2020)
• Page Start: 452
• Page End: 462
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Autocephaly -- eucharistic communion -- Orthodoxy -- ecumenism -- Ukraine; Slavic philology -- Periodicals; 891.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00085006.2020.1834717
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-5006

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine had four significant consequences outside of Ukraine. First, it affected the relations between various Orthodox churches, with some recognizing the autocephaly, others conditioning their recognition on various guarantees, and others interrupting eucharistic communion. Second, it placed undue limitations on pan-Orthodox activities in parishes in the West, while in other regards it is being ignored. Third, it resulted in the withdrawal of the Russian delegation from ecumenical dialogues in which Constantinople participates. Lastly, the aftermath of Ukrainian autocephaly raised significant theological questions regarding the eucharistic nature of the Orthodox Church, episcopal communion, and the relationship between the bishop and his faithful, all of which are focused around the question: how does the interruption of eucharistic communion expand from episcopal synods to the faithful?