ROCOR-MP Roundtable Held

A roundtable meeting between representatives of the Commissions on Discussions Between the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Moscow Patriarchate and members of the Holy Trinity Seminary and Monastery community took place at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. Representing the Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate were Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin, a Professor of the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy, and Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Secretary of the Office of External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate. Representing the Commission of the Russian Church Abroad were Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), Dean of Holy Trinity Seminary, and Archpriest Nikolai Artemoff from the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs of Russia in Munich, Germany.

The roundtable began with an introduction by Deacon Vladimir Tsurikov, Assistant Dean of Holy Trinity Seminary, who moderated the discussion, following which Fr. Nikolai Artemoff and Fr. Vladislav Tsypin offered introductory remarks on the history and significance of discussion between the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Moscow Patriarchate. The remainder of the session, which lasted over two hours, was dedicated to responding to questions from members of the Jordanville community, the majority of which were submitted by Seminary faculty and students. Among the topics covered were: the nature of the self-administration of the Russian Church Abroad upon entering Eucharistic Communion with the Moscow Patriarchate; the anticipated relationship between the Russian Church Abroad and other local Orthodox Churches; the precise nature of the anticipated communion between the two Churches; the status of parishes and clergymen who have moved from one jurisdiction to another; the view of the Moscow Patriarchate on questions regarding ecumenism and the legacy of Patriarch Sergii; and perceived contradictions between statements issued by representatives of the Russian Church Abroad. The session ended with a question posed to all four representatives asking which issues still await resolution. All participants demonstrated a lively interest in the roundtable discussion, which was held in a civil and irenic spirit.