Russian Orthodox Church cuts ties with Patriarch of Alexandria

Photograph: Galina Davydova

The autocephaly of the so-called Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was recognized by the first-hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Greece last year.

To retaliate, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has broken communion with those hierarchs of the Church of Greece, who have recognized the OCU and will concelebrate with schismatics. Many Orthodox churches, such as those in other Slavic lands, will follow the ROC in insisting that the only canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine is the one remaining in communion with Moscow, and may well take measures in support of its position.

In addition, the Moscow Patriarchate has recently made the decision to rupture all links with Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria. The ROC Holy Synod also decided that its parishes in Africa will be removed from the Patriarchate of Alexandria’s jurisdiction and made directly subordinate to the ROC head, Patriarch Kirill.