Journal

Eucharistic Relations Between Orthodox Churches in the ХХІ Century: Challenges, Conflicts and Prospects for Cooperation

№ 12, 2024

Eucharistic Relations Between Orthodox Churches in the ХХІ Century: Challenges, Conflicts and Prospects for Cooperation

Archpriest Andrii Malaniak

Master of Theology.

andrii035@ukr.net | ORCID: 0000-0002-8534-662X

Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2024-12-164

VB. – № 12, 2024. – P. 251-264

Summary

The article offers a comprehensive analysis of relations between Orthodox churches in modern conditions, with special emphasis on the problems that arise due to geopolitical, socio-cultural and religious differences. The main topic of the article is the study of conflicts, such as the issue of Eucharistic communication and canonical disputes between Local Orthodox Churches in the 21st century, which became decisive in the context of inter-church relations and revealed the influence of political factors on church life. Special attention is paid to the issues of Eucharistic relations between the Local Churches of the Balkans in their relationship with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the consequences of their influence on the relations between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow. The role of Pan-Orthodox councils and other formal meetings that contribute to the resolution of existing conflicts and promote the strengthening of Eucharistic unity through the joint solution of problems is also highlighted. Specific cases are considered, such as the issue of the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, which also affect the general state of Eucharistic relations. The article analyzes the influence of political events, cultural differences and canonical disputes on the state of unity of the Orthodox world. In the context of future initiatives, it is proposed to consider new ways of cooperation, in particular through increased dialogue and joint services, which can unite Orthodox churches. The impact of globalization on Eucharistic relations is separately considered, emphasizing how transnational processes can affect church structures and identities. An important role in this process can be played by joint social and cultural projects that contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between churches. This article opens important perspectives for understanding and overcoming challenges in the Orthodox world in the 21st century, suggesting ways to achieve greater unity through joint efforts and recognition of diversity.

Key words: eucharist, autocephaly, church politics, religious conflicts, ecumenism.

References:

  1. Bibliia (2023). Sucasnyj pereklad z davn’ojevrejs’koi ta davn’ohrecs’koi mov. Vydano z blahoslovennia Blazhenijshoho Mytropolyta Kyivs’koho i vsiiei Ukrainy Epifaniia (Bible. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in Ukrainian Translation with Parallel Passages and Appendices. Kyiv: Ukrainian Bible Society, 2023) [in Ukrainian].
  2. Vselenskyj Patriarh Varfolomij (2011). Vich-na-vich iz Tajnoiu. Pravoslavne khrystyianstvo u suchasnomu sviti (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Facing the Mystery: Orthodox Christianity in the Contemporary World. Kyiv: Dukh i Litera.) [in Ukrainian].
  3. V UPC MP poiasnyly naslidky rishennia RPC rozirvaty stosunky z Konstantynopolem (Explanation by UOC-MP on the consequences of the ROC’s decision to break ties with Constantinople. URL: https://tsn.ua/politika/v-upc-mp-poyasnili-naslidki-rishennya-rpc-rozirvati-stosunki-z-konstantinopolem-1233561.html (accessed: 24.10.2024)) [in Ukrainian].
  4. Klos Vitalij, prot. (2019) Avtokefaliia Ukrai’ns’koi Tserkvy: ohliad vid Khreshchennia do Synodal’noho Tomosu (Klos, Vitaliy. Autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church: Overview from Baptism to Synodal Tomos. Kyiv.) [in Ukrainian].
  5. Lozovytskyj V.M. (2023)  Pryntsypy “Vidkrytoho pravoslav’ia” u bohoslov’i Mytropolyta Kyivs’koho i vsiiei Ukrainy, Epifaniia (Lozovytskyi, V.M. Principles of “Open Orthodoxy” in the Theology of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius. Cultural Studies Almanac., No. 4 (December), pp. 12–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31392/cult.alm.2023.4.2) [in Ukrainian].
  6. Predstoiatel’ PCU molyvsia pid chas vids’pivuvannia spochyloho Patriarkha Bolhars’koho Neofita (Metropolitan Epiphanius of OCU prayed at the funeral service for the late Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte. URL: https://www.pomisna.info/uk/vsi-novyny/predstoyatel-ptsu-molyvsya-pid-chas-vidspivuvannya-spochylogo-patriarha-bolgarskogo-neofita/ (accessed: 24.10.2024)) [in Ukrainian].
  7. Sahan O.N. (2024) Blits-interv’iu v chasopysi “Tserkva i suspil’stvo” (Sahan, O.N. Blitz-interview in the journal Church and Society.) [in Ukrainian].
  8. RPC vyznala avtokefaliiu Okhryd’s’koi Ar’iepyskopii (ROC recognized the autocephaly of the Ohrid Archbishopric. URL: https://risu.ua/rpc-viznala-avtokefaliyu-orhidskoyi-ariyepiskopiyi_n131796 (accessed: 20.07.2024)) [in Ukrainian].
  9. Andreja Bogdanovski. Is The Macedonian Schism Healed? URL: https://orthodoxyindialogue.com/2022/05/13/is-the-macedonian-schism-healed-by-andreja-bogdanovski/ (accessed: 17.02.2024) [in English].
  10.  Arkhidiotse Okhrid: My ie khranitelem svoho imeni yak Pravoslavna Tserkva Makedonii (Archdiocese of Ohrid. “We are the guardian of our name as the Orthodox Church of Macedonia.” URL: https://orthodoxtimes.com/archdiocese-of-ohrid-we-are-the-guardian-of-our-name-as-the-orthodox-church-of-macedonia/ (accessed: 20.07.2024)) [in English].
  11. Sviatyi i Velykyi Sobor Pravoslavnoi Tserkvy. Biuletin Novyn, 2016 (Holy and Great Council of Orthodox Church. News Bulletin. 2016. URL: https://holycouncil.org/news-bulletin-number-1 (accessed: 17.07.2024)) [in English].
  12. Makedons’ka Tserkva vidkhylyla spivprychastia z ukrains’kymy raskol’nykamy (Macedonian Church rejects communion with Ukrainian schismatics. URL: https://orthochristian.com/152856.html (accessed: 16.07.2024)) [in English].
  13. Pozitsiia Serb’skoi Pravoslavnoi Tserkvy shchodo ukrains’koho pytannia (Position of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the Ukrainian Question. URL: https://www.easterndiocese.org/news_190303_4 (accessed: 26.10.2024)) [in English].
  14.  Spivsluzhinnia makedons’koi Tserkvy z Ierusalymom, Rumuniieiu, Bolhars’koiu, Rosiieiu, Serbieiu, Hretsieiu ta Ukrai’noiu na sviatii zemli (Macedonian concelebrations with Jerusalem, Romanian, Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, Greek, Ukrainian Churches in the Holy Land. URL: https://orthochristian.com/148429.html (accessed: 21.07.2024)) [in English].
  15. Αποφάσεις της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου σχετικά με το εκκλησιαστικό θέμα του Κράτους της Βορείου Μακεδονίας. URL: https://ecpatr.org/αποφάσεις-της-αγίας-και-ιεράς-συνόδου-3 (дата звернення: 16.07.2024) [in Greek].
  16. A început prima ședință a Sf. Sinod din 2019. Ce subiecte sunt pe ordinea de zi (The first session of the Holy Synod of 2019 has begun. What topics are on the agenda?). URL: https://basilica.ro/a-inceput-prima-sedinta-a-sf-sinod-din-2019-ce-subiecte-sunt-pe-ordinea-de-zi/ (accessed: 26.10.2024) [in Romanian].
  17. Kancelarii Św. Soboru Biskupów Polskiego Autokefalicznego Kościoła Prawosławnego (Office of the Holy Synod of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church). URL: https://www.orthodox.pl/komunikat-kancelarii-sw-soboru-biskupow-9/ (accessed: 26.10.2024) [in Polish].