Greek Church urges Phanar to cease communication with Ukrainian schismatics

Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira has appealed to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, calling on him to cease his communication with Ukrainian schismatics

His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira of the Greek Orthodox Church has appealed to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, calling on him to cease his communication with Ukrainian schismatics and to thereby avoid the inevitable new schisms that Constantinople’s actions will cause, reports Romfea.

The metropolitan reminded the patriarch of the words of the holy hierarch St. John Chrysostom: "The sin of schism is not purged even by martyr’s blood," calling on him to offer repentance for his actions.

"Schismatics, as we know, are not the Church, and communion with them is forbidden by the Divine and holy canons and the Apostolic and Ecumenical Councils. Why then this persistence of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognizing schismatics as an autocephalous Church? To provoke schisms and divisions in the one universal and Apostolic Church of Christ?" Met. Seraphim writes in his statement.

He noted that he was "deeply saddened" when he heard that the Moscow Patriarchate was ceasing commemoration of the Ecumenical Patriarch and concelebration with its bishops. He also reminded the Ecumenical Patriarch that until recently, he only recognized the canonical Church under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

"The Patriarchate of Constantinople’s persistence in granting autocephaly to Ukrainian schismatics has led to these sad and unfortunate results," the Greek hierarch believes.

"With a fervent prayer and a plea from the depths of his heart,” Met. Seraphim appeals “from the remote corners of our Greek Motherland” to Pat. Bartholomew "to stop, in order to avoid schisms and divisions".

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