Peter Anderson berichtet aus der orthodoxen Welt

Seit vielen Jahren verfolgt Peter Anderson aus Seattle USA die Entwicklungen in der orthodoxen Welt. Nicht im Auftrag einer Zeitung, sondern aus persönlicher Liebe zu den Ostkirchen und im Einsatz für die Communio von Ost und West gibt er Einblicke in neue Entwicklungen. Mit Zustimmung von Peter Anderson werden seine E-mail-Nachrichten auf der Homepage des Zentrums St. Nikolaus dokumentiert.

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NEWS 2025

• 25 February 2025 (2): Statement of UGCC on 3rd anniversary of invasion

  One of my newsletter recipients has just furnished to me the appeal of the UGCC issued this morning on the third anniversary of the invasion.  https://ugcc.ua/en/data/appeal-of-the-permanent-synod-of-bishops-of-the-ukrainian-greek-catholic-church-on-the-third-anniversary-of-the-full-scale-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-1461/  I have pasted it below as a supplement to the email that I sent to you a few minutes ago.  Peter

  APPEAL
  of the Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the Third Anniversary of the Full-Scale Russian Invasion of Ukraine

  Three years ago, Ukrainians awoke to the sound of explosions and anxious phone calls bearing the dreadful words: “The war has begun.” At dawn on February 24, 2022, the first air raid siren echoed across our land, and for 1,097 days and nights, it has not fallen silent.

  Over these years, Ukrainians have learned to navigate the harsh realities of full-scale war. The wail of sirens, though ever-present, no longer instills the same terror—it has become a call to vigilance, a summons to action. We know where the nearest shelter is and how long our phone charge will last. We structure our days around power outages. Businesses, both great and small, continue to adapt with remarkable ingenuity. Soldiers, medics, and rescuers sharpen their skill and resolve daily to preserve life. Families remain connected across borders, sustaining one another.

  Yet, we have not become accustomed to war. One cannot grow used to evil, nor resign oneself to it. We have become stronger than we were on that fateful morning three years ago. But we have not come to terms with our losses—each one hurts. Every fallen defender, every innocent life lost remains in the memory of God and people. We remember and pray. We support and uphold. We stand and fight, ever mindful of the God-given dignity that no force on earth can take from us.

  The destruction, suffering, and trauma inflicted upon our nation are staggering. Even if the war ended today, decades would be required to rebuild what has been damaged or destroyed: 3,500 school and university buildings, over 1,200 hospitals, 670 churches, thousands of kilometers of roads, hundreds of thousands of homes, power stations, and factories.

  Even more difficult will be the restoration and healing of lives shattered by war. It is not only our land that has been scarred by craters from rockets, mines, and drones. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians bear grievous wounds, and countless more suffer the unseen pain of trauma. Thousands of our children have been torn from their homeland and are being raised to hate their homeland. Extraordinary efforts will be required to bring back nearly seven million refugees and to ensure the safe return of four million internally displaced persons— so they can once again have a home—a place of safety, comfort, family love, and warmth.

  Yet, we have not become a people defined by war—we have become a people defined by sacrifice. Ukraine ranks among the top ten countries in the global charity index. Hundreds of thousands—men and women, young and old—have taken up arms in defense of their homeland, their values, and the very gift of life itself. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Across our land, yellow and blue flags on graves testify to their love and our gratitude. Millions contribute daily, and the word “fundraiser” has become as familiar as “missile strike.” The latter seeks to bring death; the former brings forth life.

  We have become a nation on the Way of the Cross. Yet we, as Christians, know where this path leads—to the Resurrection, to the fullness of life in the freedom and dignity of God’s children.

  This war is a test of our humanity. And in the face of profound evil and suffering, Ukrainians respond with self-sacrifice and resolve. It is through this sacrifice that we endure. For this, we give thanks to each and every person. With deep reverence and gratitude, we pray for and support our defenders, wherever they may be—on the front lines or in the rear, in captivity or in hospitals. They and their families remain ever present in the prayers of the Church.

  We endure thanks to the solidarity of people of goodwill. On behalf of the bishops of our Church, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Catholics around the world, to nations, leaders, charitable organizations, journalists, medical workers, and millions of others who have stood with us for these three years. Your prayers, your words, your deeds sustain us. God’s strength is our strength.

  Yet Ukraine still needs your voice, your solidarity. As the world deliberates peace agreements, we must remind all: Ukraine is not merely a land—it is its people. It is for their dignity and freedom that our best sons and daughters lay down their lives. And they do so not only for Ukraine but for the dignity and freedom of all people. This heroic sacrifice must never be forgotten, diminished, or betrayed.

  Russia brings death, devastation, and the eradication of religious freedom. In the occupied territories, our brothers and sisters in faith—clergy and faithful of various confessions—are prisoners of the aggressor. The occupiers have already taken the lives of 67 pastors from different Churches. Many have suffered captivity, and others remain imprisoned. History bears witness: whenever Russia occupies Ukraine, our Church faces persecution. This was true in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, in 1946, and now once more. We are called to be the voice of the persecuted, to ensure that in no peace agreement, in name only, will our faith, dignity, or freedom become a bargaining chip. True peace cannot exist without justice. An unjust truce is a criminal mockery that will only lead to greater injustice and suffering.

  To the world, we proclaim: Ukrainians believe in the triumph of God’s truth. Even amidst sorrow and ruin, we remain a people of hope. We believe in the Resurrection, for we know: God is with us—with the persecuted, the oppressed, the mourning, and the suffering. In Him, we place all our trust. And so, we stand, we fight, we pray.

  We know that one morning, we will receive the long-awaited call: “The war is over,” and we will offer our prayers of thanksgiving before the throne of the Almighty.

  Christ is Risen! Ukraine shall rise!

  + SVIATOSLAV

   

• 25 February 2025: Metropolitan Onufry and Church Council on 3rd anniversary of invasion

  https://uoc-news.church/2025/02/24/address-of-his-beatitude-metropolitan-onufriy-in-relation-to-the-third-anniversary-of-the-full-scale-russian-attack-on-ukraine/?lang=en

  Address of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine in relation to the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian attack on Ukraine

  Dear brothers and sisters! Dear Ukrainians! 

  Our Motherland has already been opposing the full-scale Russian military invasion for three years. For three years, our Motherland has been suffering from the horrible bloodshed that the Russian army, which takes away the lives of our fellow countrymen literally every day, has brought to our Ukrainian land.

  The Lord has left His Divine peace with mankind (cf. John 14:27), with which everyone is blessed (cf. Ps. 28:11). Nothing can be an excuse for those who break the blessed peace, multiply hatred, and sow death. Instead, those who cherish justice and stand in defence of their relatives and loved ones are adorned with great works of good.

  This day has recently become a special National Prayer Day in Ukraine. We offer up our prayers to the Giver of peace (cf. Phil. 4:9) and the Lord of hosts (cf. Ps. 45:8, 12) for all the Ukrainian servicemen, who carry on their self-sacrificing feat every day, courageously defending Ukraine and her residents. We also pray for all the medical workers and emergency service workers, who, despite tiredness and other concomitant hardships, selflessly serve their neighbours.

  The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, regardless of slander, speculation, and artificial accusations, remains with her people, caring about their well-being and the coming of a just peace in our Motherland. Saint Gregory the Theologian notes: to honour a mother is a religious duty. Now, different individuals have different mothers; but the common mother of all is our country. It is Ukraine that is the Motherland of millions of believers of our Church, among whom there are servicemen and medical workers, rescuers and volunteers, members of social and humanitarian missions.

  Dear brothers and sisters! Let us offer up today our prayers to the Loving Heavenly Father to bless the long-suffering Ukraine and all our fellow countrymen! Let us preserve our internal unity, let us not lose respect for one another, and let us not forget about all those who gave their lives for a peaceful future of our country.

  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all (cf. 2 Cor. 13:14).

  Lord, oh the Great and Almighty, protect our beloved Ukraine! 

  Onufriy

  Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine

  Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

  https://vrciro.org.ua/en/statements/vishcha-spravedlivist-vimagae-zasudzhennya-rosiyskoi-agresii-zlo-ne-mozhe-buti-vinagorodzhene-ale-mae-buti-spravedlivo-pokarane-zvernennya-vrtsiro-naperedodni-tretoi-richnitsi-povnomasshtabnogo-vtorgnennya-v-ukrainu

  APPEAL of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the Eve of the Third Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine and Regarding Prayer for Ukraine 

  Another year of the horrific war unleashed by russia against Ukraine and the free world has passed. On February 24, 2025, we mark three years of heroic resistance by Ukraine’s Defense Forces and the entire Ukrainian nation against full-scale russian aggression, as well as the 11th anniversary of the russian-Ukrainian war. 

  With God’s help, the resilience of Ukrainian warriors and society, and the support of international partners, the russian aggressor has been halted, its plans thwarted, a significant part of Ukraine’s territory liberated from occupation, and the foundations laid for future victory and the establishment of a just peace for Ukraine. 

  Russia’s war of conquest against Ukraine has brought immense suffering, grief, and loss to the Ukrainian people. It has led to the destruction of cities and civilian infrastructure, gross violations of human rights and freedoms in temporarily occupied territories, including religious persecution, the closure of churches, the torture and killing of religious leaders from various denominations, the forced migration of millions, the separation of families, the abduction of Ukrainian children, and the horrific treatment of military personnel and civilian prisoners. 

  At the core of russia’s aggression and these heinous crimes lies the chauvinistic and misanthropic ideology of the so-called "russian world", which is actively promoted by the kremlin along with the russian orthodox church and other russian religious institutions. Once again, we call upon democratic nations, religious leaders of various faiths, and all people of goodwill to condemn the ideology of the "russian world" and its adherents. We honor the memory of every Defender who has given their life for Ukraine and freedom, and we lift our prayers that God may strengthen and comfort every Ukrainian family. We express our deep gratitude to the Ukrainian warriors of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and pray to the Almighty for their strength in the fight for Ukraine’s defense and freedom. 

  We extend our gratitude to every individual contributing to the strengthening of Ukraine’s defense capabilities and bringing victory closer. 

  We are also grateful to all international partners who, through concrete actions, uphold the value of human life and assist Ukrainians in defending freedom and democracy. Supreme justice demands the condemnation of russian aggression—evil must not be rewarded but justly punished. 

  We appeal to the Ukrainian people and authorities to remain courageous in this struggle of good against evil, to believe in the triumph of righteousness, to support one another, to stay united, and to do everything necessary for victory and the common good. 

  Recently, the Ukrainian Parliament established a National Day of Prayer, to be observed annually on February 24. We call upon representatives of various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to turn to the Almighty on this day, each according to their faith, and to unite in prayer for victory and a just peace for Ukraine. 

  May God’s blessing be upon Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!  

• 24 February 2025: Estonian church law passes first reading & other news

  On February 19, 2025, a majority of the members of the Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament, voted, on the first reading, in favor of the government’s draft law amending Estonia’s Churches and Congregations Act.  https://www.riigikogu.ee/en/sitting-reviews/riigikogu-concluded-the-first-reading-of-a-bill-amending-the-churches-and-congregations-act/   The draft law is designated “570 SE”, and the text of the draft law can be accessed at https://www.riigikogu.ee/tegevus/eelnoud/eelnou/133fc804-5a56-46f8-b595-84cc2a66465f/Kirikute%20ja%20koguduste%20seaduse%20muutmise%20seadus/.  With respect to the first reading, the official English website of the Riigikogu reports, in part, as follows:

  According to the Bill, a church, monastery or congregation operating in Estonia may not in its activities be managed by, or through its statutes or financially be connected with a governing body, a spiritual centre, a spiritual leader or an association located in a foreign country that poses a threat to the security, public order or constitutional order of the Estonian state.  Nor can there be such a connection with a person or institution that incites war, terrorist crimes or violence or supports military aggression.

  The Bill will also specify who can serve as a minister of religion in Estonia.  A person who has a criminal record or who is not allowed to reside or stay in Estonia cannot be a minister of religion.  In addition, the requirements for the statutes of a religious association will be specified.  Churches and congregations that will need to bring their statutes and operating principles into line with the Act will have two months from the entry into force of the Act to do so.

  …

  The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and the Estonian Centre Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading.  11 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 41 voted against.  Thus, the motion was not supported, and the first reading of the Bill was concluded.

  The passing of a draft act requires three readings.  The law-making procedure of the Riigikogu and the nature of the three readings are described on the English website of the Riigikogu at  https://www.riigikogu.ee/en/introduction-and-history/riigikogu-tasks-organisation-work/what-does-riigikogu/legislative-work/ .  In my newsletter of 3 February 2025, I analyzed the key provisions of 570 SE and concluded that they suffer from some of the same legal defects under international law as does Ukrainian Law 3894.  See https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/dokumentation/anderson/.   The first paragraph in bold above would presumably be applicable to the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate because it acknowledges its canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate and because of its connection with Patriarch Kirill who supports the invasion of Ukraine.  The second paragraph in bold would presumably be applicable to the head of the Church, Metropolitan Evgeniy (Reshetnikov) of Tallinn and All Estonia, because he was denied his temporary residence permit and has not been allowed to reside in Estonia since February 6, 2024.

  Two days earlier, on February 17, the Holy Synod of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate issued a statement. https://et.orthodox.ee/messages/mpeok-sinodi-avaldus-oleme-seaduskuulekas-kirik-ja-soovime-jatkata-usulist-tegevust-rahus/;  https://orthochristian.com/167501.html (English translation).  It included the following:  Although in the canonical sense we are an autonomous part of the Moscow Patriarchate, this concerns exclusively canonical and Eucharistic unity and does not mean practical management and administration of our Church by political or governmental circles of a foreign state.  Our Church is completely independent in its daily activities, economic decisions, and parish management.  All our decisions are made by the governing bodies of the Estonian Church—the Council and Synod, guided by canonical law and the laws of the Republic of Estonia and taking into account the needs of local parishes.  Abbess Philareta of the famous Pükhtitsa Monastery in Estonia and her sisters also wrote an appeal to the members of the Riigikogu with respect to the proposed law.   https://www.puhtitsa.ee/index.php?view=article&id=498:2025-02-03&catid=18;  https://orthochristian.com/167070.html (English translation)   In the appeal, they ask the question:  Do you truly want to go down in history as parliamentarians who forcibly terminated the existence of a well-known Orthodox women’s monastery in Estonia that has existed for more than a hundred years?

  With respect to Ukraine, I have seen no activity relating to Law 3894 in the last few weeks.  On January 13, Dr. Viktor Yelensky, head of DESS, stated at a Ukrinform news conference what must be done before DESS can begin to enforce Law 3894.  https://spzh.eu/en/news/84032-dess-head-explains-when-uoc-banning-law-will-take-effect  A video of his remarks can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/live/c9ttFEcl3dU  (beginning at 36:50)  At the conference, Yelensky stated that the Cabinet of Ministers must approve four sets of regulations before Law 3894 can be enforced by DESS: (1) the procedure for issuing orders; (2) the procedure for granting permission for interactions with banned religious organizations; (3) guidance with respect to those elements of the ideology of “Russian world” that may not be promulgated by a religious organization under 3894; (4) the procedure for transferring religious buildings.   Of the four, it would appear that the first would be the most important.  Presumably, it would relate to such matters as the use of experts by DESS to determine “affiliation” with a foreign religious organization.

  On January 31, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedures for granting approval to relations, connections, or communications with banned foreign religious organizations.   https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-zatverdzhennia-poriadku-nadannia-indyvidualnoho-pohodzhennia-na-vidnosyny-taabo-zviazky-taabo-komunikatsii-z-inozemnoiu-relihiinoiu-orhanizatsiieiu-diialnist-iakoi-i310125-107  (Decree No. 107)  Of the four sets of regulations specified above, this is the second set.  A Google English translation of the complete text of this second set, together with my comments, are found in my newsletter of 7 February 2025.  See https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/dokumentation/anderson/  Most significantly, the Cabinet of Ministers still has not taken action on the other three sets of regulations relating to 3894.  This can be seen from https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npasearch which lists the decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers issued to date.  It is my personal belief that the Ukrainian government is reluctant to allow the general enforcement of 3894 to go ahead at this time as it may further exacerbate the very fragile relationship between the Trump and Zelensky governments.

  In Bulgaria, the Holy Synod elected a new Metropolitan of Vidin on February 9.  The Vidin Diocesan Electoral Council on February 2 had elected a shortlist of two bishops to be the candidates of which one would be selected by the Holy Synod.  The two candidates were Bishop Pahomiy of Branitsa (First Vicar Bishop of Sofia) and Bishop Gerasim of Melnik (General Secretary of the Holy Synod).  In the secret ballot election by the Holy Synod, Bishop Pahomiy received 14 votes, and Bishop Gerasim received 0 votes.  All of the members of the Synod voted, and there were no abstentions.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/izlozhenie-za-provedenia-na-9-fevruari-2025-g-kanonicheski-i  The Holy Synod has recently been very divided between metropolitans who sympathize with Constantinople and those who sympathize with Moscow.  The fact that all members were able to agree on the future new metropolitan of Vidin is a hopeful sign of greater unity within the Synod.   On the other hand, it should be remembered that the Holy Synod, because of its divisions, took months to decide upon the list of bishops to be submitted for consideration by the Vidin Diocesan Electoral Council.  It should also be remembered that Bishop Gerasim was one of the two finalists to head the vacant diocese of Sliven.  In the vote by the Holy Synod on May 26, 2024, Gerasim’s supporters included Metropolitans Daniil and Gavriil, both of whom sympathize with Moscow.  The supporters of Bishop Arseniy, who won the election and became the new Metropolitan of Sliven, included Metropolitans Nikolai, Antony, Naum, Cyprian, and Yakov, who sympathize with Constantinople.  Thus, the unanimous vote received by Pahomiy on February 9 could mean that the Constantinople sympathizers simply found Pahomiy to be less objectionable than Gerasim.

  Of all of the Bulgarian bishops, it appears that Pahomiy was the favorite of Patriarch Daniil from the beginning.  At the first meeting of the Holy Synod following the election of Patriarch Daniil, the Patriarch chose Pahomiy, the rector of the Sofia Theological Seminary "St. John of Rila,” to be his first vicar bishop.  In the months that followed, it is reported that at the Patriarch’s public appearances, Bishop Pahomiy was almost always at the Patriarch’s side.  It appears that Bishop Pahomiy is generally regarded as very capable.  The Patriarch and the Holy Synod in a letter introducing Pahomiy to the faithful of the Vidin Diocese, praised his “experience, energy, theological knowledge, outstanding administrative qualities, good acquaintances among the Orthodox world, and his entire ministry.”  In searching the Bulgarian Internet, I have not found any statements by Pahomiy relating to Ukraine or the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  His education and church assignments have been exclusively in Bulgaria.

  On February 17, Patriarch Daniil met in Sofia with Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon (Ecumenical Patriarchate). https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/sreshta-na-balgarskia-patriarh-daniil-i-chlenove-na-svetia-s  The website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate stated:  “During the meeting, topical issues were raised concerning the Orthodox Church and its spiritual mission in the world - about the dialogue between the Local Churches, about the upcoming celebrations in connection with the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, as well as other issues of mutual interest.”  

  As most everyone knows, Pope Francis is now suffering from a critical medical condition.   On February 18, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a handwritten letter to Pope Francis wishing him a full recovery with God’s help. https://ec-patr.org/message-of-support-from-the-ecumenical-patriarch-to-the-ailing-pope-francis/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIoeDZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZxeoIqpm9QawHJYiJtTGCoOKNxnbY7oish0agZQxb9qAP7mnRkFILCOuA_aem_b9onZja8JULJtIHWgPTUyA

  In my opinion, Pope Francis has worked so hard during his pontificate to reach out to the Orthodox.  Especially during this serious medical crisis, I pray that Our Lord will bless and help Pope Francis in every way and that the Mother of God, to whom Pope Francis is so greatly devoted, will intercede for him. 

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA 

• 7 February 2025: New legal analysis of 3894 and first regulations

  TO THOSE NEWSLETTER RECIPIENTS WHO MAY HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN UKRAINIAN LAW 3894:

  New Legal Analysis of Ukrainian Law 3894

  The attorney, Robert Amsterdam, has just issued a 25-page legal analysis of Ukrainian Law 3894.  Unlike the arguments of the supporters of Law 3894, Amsterdam’s analysis is based on the actual language of 3894. The analysis can be read at https://savetheuoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ukraines-War-on-Religious-Freedom-Final.pdf    His analysis is very consistent with my analysis found at https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/assets/public/files/Dokumentation/Anderson/LAW 3894 OF UKRAINE.pdf .  The analysis was distributed by Amsterdam at the International Religious Freedom Summit being held in Washington, D.C. this week.

  Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers issues the first set of regulations relating to Ukrainian Law 3894

  Ukrainian Law 3894 directs the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers to take certain actions to implement the Law.  An English translation of Law 3894 is found at  https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/assets/public/files/Dokumentation/Anderson/LAW 3894 OF UKRAINE.pdf  At page 5 of the translation, the Cabinet of Ministers has the responsibility of preparing the procedure for granting consent to relations, connections, or communications with a prohibited foreign religious organization.  At page 6 of the translation, the Cabinet of Ministers is to prepare procedures for the determination of whether a religious organization is promoting the ideology of “Russian world.”  On page 26 of the translation, there is a reference to the Cabinet of Ministers establishing the procedure for the transfer of state or municipal religious property for free use or loan.  On pages 27 and 28, there is a list of other obligations of the Cabinet of Ministers.

  On January 13, Dr. Viktor Yelensky, head of DESS, stated at a Ukrinform news conference what must be done before DESS can begin to enforce Law 3894.  https://spzh.eu/en/news/84032-dess-head-explains-when-uoc-banning-law-will-take-effect  A video of his remarks can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/live/c9ttFEcl3dU  (beginning at 36:50)  At the conference, Yelensky stated that the Cabinet of Ministers must approve four sets of regulations before Law 3894 can be enforced by DESS: (1) the procedure for issuing orders; (2) the procedure for granting permission for interactions with banned religious organizations; (3) guidance with respect to those elements of the ideology of “Russian world” that may not be promulgated by a religious organization under 3894; (4) the procedure for transferring religious buildings.   Of the four, it would appear that the first would be the most important.  Presumably, it would relate to such matters as the use of experts by DESS to determine “affiliation” with a foreign religious organization.

  Earlier in January, People’s Deputy Mykyta Poturayev, head of the Rada’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy (the committee that was responsible for 3894) stated that the regulations implementing 3894 have been drafted by DESS and are awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.   https://glavcom.ua/country/politics/zaborona-moskovskoji-tserkvi-v-ukrajini-sluha-narodu-pojasniv-shcho-halmuje-protses--1039201.html#google_vignette  He attributes the delay in approval to an examination of a certain part by the Ministry of Finance.  Poturayev states that by the end of January “everything will be ready” for DESS “to conduct examinations on the connection of the church with the aggressor state.”  [Under the terms of 3894, the Cabinet of Ministers was required to complete its work by November 24, 2024 (three months after the publication of the Law).  Obviously, this deadline has far passed.]

  On January 31, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedures for granting approval to relations, connections, or communications with banned foreign religious organizations.   https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-zatverdzhennia-poriadku-nadannia-indyvidualnoho-pohodzhennia-na-vidnosyny-taabo-zviazky-taabo-komunikatsii-z-inozemnoiu-relihiinoiu-orhanizatsiieiu-diialnist-iakoi-i310125-107  (Decree No. 107)  Of the four sets of regulations specified above, this is the second set.  However, the Cabinet of Ministers have taken no action to date on the other three sets of regulations relating to 3894.  This can be seen from https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npasearch which lists the decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers issued to date.  The following is my personal belief as to what is happening:  The Ukrainian government is reluctant to allow the general enforcement of 3894 to go ahead at this time as it may “rock the boat” in the new and delicate relationship between the Trump and Zelensky governments.  Vice President Vance, as a senator last year, expressed his concern about the draft law which has now become Law 3894.  This week at the International Religious Freedom Summit, Vice President Vance spoke about the importance of religious freedom.  His speech can be watched at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJMYrOTHvhc.  By approving only one set of the regulations, the Ukrainian government has taken a very cautious step.  The Cabinet of Ministers can now say that it is doing something to implement 3894, but in this regard it has chosen the set of regulations that will probably results in the least amount of international attention.

  The text of the set of regulations approved on January 31 can be read through a link on the Decree referenced above.  I have attached to this report a pdf document which contains (1) the language of 3894 relating to relations, connections, or communications with a foreign religious organization; (2) the text of the set of regulations in the original Ukrainian language; and (3) a Google English translation of the text of the regulations. 

  The regulations relates to the provisions of 3894 which in essence provide:  “Relations and/or connections, and/or communications of religious organizations, including religious communities, other legal entities under private law, with …[the Moscow Patriarchate]…are not allowed, except when they are carried out with the consent of…[DESS].”   The foregoing statutory language is unclear as to whether the word  “including” relates to “other legal entities under private law” as well as to “religious communities.”   In other words, does the prohibition only apply to “legal entities under private law” which are also  “religious organizations”?  Paragraph 3 of the regulations provides:  “DESS grants consent to a religious organization or other legal entity under private law in the person of its authorized representative.”  This language clearly implies that the prohibition applies not only to religious organizations but also to “legal entities under private law,” such as corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities which have no relationship to religion.

  Aside from the foregoing, the regulations provide little guidance on how the statutory language should be construed.  For example, if an owner of a non-religious business in Ukraine sends a birthday card with a signature to a bishop of the Moscow Patriarchate, must the owner first obtain the consent of DESS?  One can think of many other examples where the answer is unclear.  One would think that the regulations would give the public more guidance.

  The statutory language of 3894 mandates that the regulations specify “the grounds for granting and refusing the granting of consent” by DESS.  Paragraph 12 of the approved regulations lists the “grounds for the DESS's refusal to grant approval.”  This is then followed by four subparagraphs where approval will be refused.  Subparagraphs 2, 3, and 4 relate to the failure to submit complete and reliable paperwork.  The only other listed ground for refusal is subparagraph 1, which provides:  “non-compliance of the application and the documents attached to it with the requirements of the legislation.”  Such a broad and general statement provides almost no information to the public as to the specific criteria used by DESS to deny a request.  In my personal opinion, subparagraph 1 is totally inadequate and allows DESS almost unfettered discretion.

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  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

   

• 3 February 2025: Important developments in Bulgaria and Estonia

  Normally, the election of a new member of the Holy Synod of a Local Orthodox Church would not be considered important news.  However, in Bulgaria, it is important.  The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Patriarchate is sharply divided into two wings.  One wing favors the Ecumenical Patriarch and the recognition of the OCU.  Its primary members are Metropolitans Nikolai, Anthony, Naum, Cyprian, Yakov, and Arseny.  The other wing is headed by Patriarch Daniil and does not recognize the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine.   Each new Synod member can have an effect on the future direction of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.  Interestingly, Bulgarian society likewise is now divided on various matters.  For example, Bulgaria was without an elected government from April 9, 2024, until January 16, 2025.  https://sofiaglobe.com/2025/01/16/bulgarias-parliament-votes-zhelyazkov-government-into-office/#google_vignette)   

  The election of Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin as Patriarch on June 30 created a vacancy for a new metropolitan to head the Vidin diocese.  This metropolitan will automatically be a member of the Holy Synod.  Under the charter of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, there is a three-step procedure for electing a new metropolitan to head a diocese.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/statute (Articles 83 - 94)   The first step is for the Synod to prepare a list of those bishops whom the Synod desires to be candidates for the vacancy.  Because of the difficulty of the members of the Synod to decide which bishops would be on the list for the Vidin vacancy, the list was not published until January 14 – more than six months after the vacancy was created.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/en/news/the-holy-synod-determined-the-list-of-bishops-who-are-candid   The published list contains the names of eight bishops.  One of the candidates, Bishop Vissarion of Smolyan (vicar bishop under Metropolitan Nikolai), requested the Synod to remove his name from the list for health reasons.   https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/pismo-na-smolenskia-episkop-visarion-do-balgarskia-patriarh 

  In the second step, the Vidin Diocesan Electoral Council elects a “shortlist” of two bishops from the list of bishops provided by the Holy Synod.  In the case of the Vidin Council, the Council consists of 30 clergy and laypersons – six persons from each of the five deaneries.  In the election, each of the Council members circles the names of two bishops.  To be on the shortlist, a bishop must obtain a majority of the votes.  On Sunday, February 2, the Council met in Vidin and were able to prepare its shortlist in only one round of voting.  The two bishops receiving a majority vote were Bishop Pahomiy of Branitsa with 24 votes and Bishop Gerasim of Melnik with 18 votes.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/eparhiyski-izbor-na-dvamata-dostoizbiraemi-episkop-za-nov-vi  There were a total of 29 voters.  In the third and final step, the Holy Synod will elect one of these two as the new Metropolitan of Vidin. This will occur on Sunday, February 9, absent a valid canonical challenge to the February 2 election.

  It is very likely that Patriarch Daniil is pleased with the bishops now on the shortlist.  Bishop Pahomiy was rector of the Sofia Theological Seminary "St. John of Rila” from June 2017 to July 9, 2024.  Patriarch Daniil, at the first meeting of the Holy Synod following his election as patriarch, chose Bishop Pahomiy to be his “first vicar bishop of Sofia.”   https://bg-patriarshia.bg/branitskiyat-episkop-pahomiy  This indicates that the Patriarch has confidence in Pahomiy.  The second person on the shortlist, Bishop Gerasim, has been the General Secretary of the Holy Synod since September 2014.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/episkop-gerasim-biografia  In May 2024 Bishop Gerasim was one of two bishops on the shortlist for the vacant diocese of Sliven.  In the election by the Holy Synod, Gerasim lost but one of his supporters was Daniil. https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/sv-sinod-izbra-znepolskia-episkop-arseniy-za-nov-slivenski-m  However, as far as I can determine, neither Pahomiy nor Gerasim has been a very vocal advocate for Moscow as have Daniil and Gavrill.

  On January 31, three days before the election in Vidin, Faktor.bg published a long analysis of the forthcoming election in Vidin.  https://faktor.bg/bitkata-za-vidinski-vladika-dva-voyuvashti-klana-sluguvashti-na-chujda-strana-shte-opredelqt-badeshteto-na-bpc   Although the author obviously has a very strong bias, the article contains a great deal of detail.  The title of the article refers to “two warring clans.”  The article states that the first choice of Patriarch Daniil for the open position is Bishop Pahomiy and that Daniil is hoping that all of the metropolitans will support Pahomiy.  This hope may indicate that Pahomiy, if elected, may choose not to be a member of one of the two “warring clans.”

  In another important development in Bulgaria, the National Assembly (parliament) adopted on January 31 a new law which designates the Bulgarian Patriarchate as the sole exponent and representative of Eastern Orthodox, the traditional religion for the country.   According to the law, the Bulgarian Patriarchate is the only religious organization that can use the word “Orthodox” in its title.  https://www.parliament.bg/bg/news/ID/6181  It appears that the exact text of the law will be available at https://www.parliament.bg/bg/bills/ID/165951  BTA, the Bulgarian state news agency, gives a description of the new law at https://www.bta.bg/bg/news/bulgaria/national-news/825026-balgarskata-pravoslavna-tsarkva-e-edinstven-predstavitel-na-traditsionnoto-za-ba .  The description includes the following:

  The Parliament adopted on the second reading amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations, which define the autocephalous unified Bulgarian Orthodox Church-Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP) as the sole exponent and representative of the country's traditional religion - Eastern Orthodoxy. This text was supported by 186 MPs from all parliamentary groups, and one from "Continuing Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) voted "against".  The name of another religion cannot contain the word "Orthodox", as well as derivative or similar words, the deputies also wrote in the law. The text was approved by the votes of 173 deputies, 11 deputies from "Moral, Unity, Honor" (MECH) abstained.

  The reason for the amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations is a decision of the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) of December 16 last year, which ruled on the registration of a religious institution with the name “Bulgarian Orthodox Old-Style Church”. The SCC decision is in connection with a 2021 decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case “Bulgarian Orthodox Old-Style Church and Others v. Bulgaria”.  

  Within two months of the entry into force of the provisions adopted today, registered religious denominations and applicants in pending initial registration proceedings are obliged to change their name and statutes in accordance with the amendments and to apply for entry of the change in the register of religious denominations with the status of legal entities at the Sofia City Court, the deputies finally adopted.  Registered religious denominations that do not fulfill the above obligation and do not have pending proceedings for the entry of changes resulting from its fulfillment shall be terminated.  A subsequent procedure for liquidation and deletion of a religious denomination from the register by the court has also been scheduled.  The amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations adopted today enter into force on the day of their publication in the State Gazette.

  It is likely that there will be legal challenges to this new law.

  In Estonia, the Estonian government submitted to the Riigikogu (parliament) on January 27 a new proposed law relating to religion.  The full text of bill, 570 SE, can be read at  https://www.riigikogu.ee/tegevus/eelnoud/eelnou/133fc804-5a56-46f8-b595-84cc2a66465f/kirikute-ja-koguduste-seaduse-muutmise-seadus/.   I have prepared an English translation (by Google) of the full text.  If you desire a copy, please request it by a reply email.  The following is one of the key provisions:

  3) Section 3 is supplemented with subsection 2-1 in the following wording:

  “(2-1) A church, congregation, union of congregations and monastery may not be guided in their activities by a person or association with significant influence located in a foreign country, nor may they be affiliated, by statute, contract, other documents on the basis of which the activities are based, or economically with a religious association, spiritual centre, governing body or spiritual leader located in a foreign country, if the aforementioned spiritual centre, governing body, spiritual leader, person or association:

  1) poses a threat to the security, constitutional order or public order of the Estonian state;

  2) has supported military aggression or called for war, a terrorist offence or otherwise the unlawful use of armed force or violence, or

  3) is in conflict with the generally recognised principles of international law in its activities.”

  It appears that this bill suffers from some of the same legal defects under international law as Ukrainian Law 3894.  For example, it makes mere affiliation a basis for outlawing a religious organization.  Under the bill, it is not necessary to prove that the Estonian religious organization poses a threat but only that the foreign religious organization does.  The Estonian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate has issued a press release that the bill violates its fundemental rights.  https://et.orthodox.ee/news/moskva-patriarhaadi-eesti-oigeusu-kirik-kirikute-ja-koguduste-seaduse-muutmise-eelnou-ohustab-usuorganisatsioonide-pohioigusi/  In this regard, it cites the legal conclusions of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with respect to Ukrainian Law 3894.  In response to the concerns expressed by a Tartu court to its name, the Church has agreed to change its registration to a new name – the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church.  https://ru.orthodox.ee/news/v-tallinne-sostoyalas-tretya-sessiya-sobora-epcz-mp/ 

  Lastly, an appeal has been made by a group of clergy and laity who remain in Russia but oppose the war in Ukraine.  https://noek.info/hintergrund/3646-christus-und-dem-evangelium-treu-bleiben (German translation of the Russian original)

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

• 31 January 2025: Funeral of Archbishop Anastasios & other news

  The Liturgy and Funeral Service for Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, was held on January 30 in the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana.  The entire Liturgy and Funeral Service can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs02Sn76bxE .  Six primates of the Local Orthodox Churches were present:  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Ecumenical Patriarchate); Patriarch Theodoros (Patriarchate of Alexandria); Patriarch Theophilos (Patriarchate of Jerusalem); Patriarch Daniil (Patriarchate of Bulgaria); Archbishop George (Church of Cyprus); and Archbishop Ieronymos (Church of Greece).  The Moscow Patriarchate was represented by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, and the Romanian Patriarchate was represented by Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviște.  There were also representatives present from the Patriarchates of Antioch, Serbia, and Georgia and the Churches of Poland, Czech Lands and Slovakia, and North Macedonia.   The delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate also included Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon.  https://www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr/aytokefales_ekklisies/ekklisia_albanias/to-ystato-xaire-ston-arxiepiskopo-alvanias-kyro-anastasio-vinteofoto/   From the video, it appears that Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, represented the Vatican.

  The Divine Liturgy was celebrated solely by bishops and clergy of the Albanian Church.  This avoided the need for Metropolitan Anthony to excuse himself from serving in the Liturgy in view of the participation in the Liturgy of primates with whom the Moscow Patriarchate has severed communion.  This is similar to the funeral liturgy for Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria in March 2024 where only Bulgarian hierarchs served.  The Funeral Service for Archbishop Anastasios was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and begins at 3:08:00 in the video.    

  The funeral address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew can be read at  https://fosfanariou.gr/index.php/2025/01/30/epikideios-logoa-ecum-patr-ston-alvanias-anastasio/  It is a beautiful tribute to Archbishop Anastasios.  The Ecumenical Patriarch’s remarks were greeted multiple times by applause, including standing applause.  See video especially at 5:24:30 to 5:29:10.  At one point, 5:28:00, when saying “we bid you farewell,” the Ecumenical Patriarch almost lost his composure.  The Ecumenical Patriarch’s address included a story that I had not heard before.  The Ecumenical Patriarch stated: “His [the Archbishop’s] holy mother rejected with disgust the doctors' urging to undergo an abortion, as she was suffering from tuberculosis, because death was supposedly inevitable for both her and the pregnant child!”   This child lived 95 years and accomplished so much for Our Lord and His Church during his lifetime!  Other speakers at the Funeral were: the WCC’s Moderator, Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm (text at https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/sermon-by-bishop-heinrich-bedford-strohm-at-the-funeral-of-archbishop-anastasios-of-albania); the Locum Tenens Metropolitan John of Korçë; the niece of the late Archbishop, Roxane Yannoulatos; Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece (text at https://www.primeminister.gr/2025/01/30/35738) ; and Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania (text at  https://www.kryeministria.al/en/newsroom/kryeministri-edi-rama-ne-ceremonine-e-homazheve-ne-nderim-te-kryepeshkopit-te-kishes-ortodokse-autoqefale-te-shqiperise-anastas-janullatos/) .

  Archbishop Anastasios was buried in a special crypt under the altar of the Cathedral of the Resurrection.  To the best of my knowledge, a date has not yet been set by the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church for its election of a new primate.

  As reported in my previous newsletters, the Church of Greece and the Greek government have made special efforts subsequent to the fall of the Assad regime to reach out to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and offer support.  On January 22, Patriarch John X, primate of the Patriarchate of Antioch, “received Metropolitan Ignatios Dimitriados [member of the Church of Greece’s Synodal Committee on Inter-Orthodox Relations] and Father Emmanuel Papamikrouli [secretary of the Synodal Committee] as delegates from Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and from the Greek government, at the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand [Lebanon].”   https://antiochpatriarchate.org/en/page/receiving-a-delegation-from-the-greek-orthodox-church/2832/ ; https://www.romfea.gr/patriarxeia-ts/patriarxeio-antioxeias/67524-antiprosopeia-tis-ekklisias-tis-ellados-ston-patriarxi-antioxeias    With respect to this meeting, the Greek City Times made the following observation at https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/01/23/greek-orthodox-antioch-john-x / : 

  The meeting comes following the news that the Greek government will finance 600 clergymen in the diaspora, including the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.  With this move, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is on the soft power offensive following the Patriarchate of Moscow’s expansionism in Africa and the recent overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, with the Christian communities of the Eastern Mediterranean country becoming especially vulnerable since Turkish-backed jihadists came to power. 

  By placing hundreds of clergy in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa and by strengthening diplomatic efforts to protect Greek Orthodox Christians in Syria, Greece is taking steps to become a shield for Orthodoxy in these regions.

  The Greek City Times has also posted a separate article relating to the financing of the 600 clergymen.  https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/01/22/greece-600-greek-orthodox-priests/  According to the latter article, the “Greek government’s plans have already been completed, and the special legislative regulation is expected to be implemented within the first quarter of 2025.”   The regulation “aims to recruit 50-70 clergymen annually until the 600 positions are fulfilled.”

  Three days later, on January 25, Patriarch John met at Balamand with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate.  https://mospat.ru/en/news/92808/  In addition to Metropolitan Anthony, the Russian delegation included such persons as Archpriest Nikolai Balashov (advisor to Patriarch Kirill) and Alexander Rudakov (Russian Ambassador to Lebanon).  With respect to the meeting, the website of the DECR states in part:  “In the cordial atmosphere, the participants in the meeting discussed at length a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern, including the plight of Christians in the Middle East and other regions, prospects of promoting further the fraternal cooperation between the Antiochian and the Moscow Patriarchates, and the current state of inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations….  After the meeting, Patriarch John gave a dinner in honour of the DECR chairman and other members of the Russian Church’s delegation.”  Although the official website and the Facebook site of the Antiochian Patriarchate publicized the meeting with the Church of Greece, both of these sites are completely silent with respect to the Patriarch’s meeting with Metropolitan Anthony and the Russian Ambassador and with respect to the dinner that followed.

  Lastly, there is the sad news that Father Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, died on January 19 at the age of 74.  For 28 years, until his retirement in 2023, he was the key staff person at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who was responsible for Orthodox – Catholic relations in the United States.  Any American Catholic who has worked seriously in the field of ecumenical relations with the Orthodox would know Father Roberson.  Personally, he has helped me many times.  Father Roberson received his doctorate degree from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome in 1988 after defending his thesis on “Contemporary Romanian Orthodox Ecclesiology.”  From 1988 to 1992 he worked at the Vatican with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  Beginning in 2005, he was a member of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.  https://paulist.org/who-we-are/bio/ronald-g-roberson-c-s-p/ ;  http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/news/2024/2024-01-21-rip-ron-roberson.html   Thank you, Father Roberson, for all that you have done for Christian unity.  May he rest in peace!

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

• 28 January 2025: Romanian Patriarchate on unified Easter

  https://basilica.ro/en/response-to-pope-francis-statement-on-a-unified-date-for-easter/   The following was posted today, January 28, by the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate:

  Following a recent statement by Pope Francis regarding the establishment of a common date for the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord, we wish to clarify that any consultation on the date of Easter and a possible decision can only take place within the framework of a future Pan-Orthodox Council, with the participation of all sister Orthodox Churches.

  This initiative aligns with the ongoing efforts on this matter, taking into account the significant recommendation of the Synaxis of the Primates and Representatives of the Orthodox Churches, convened from January 21-28, 2016, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Center in Chambésy.

  During this meeting, it was emphasized: “Regarding the issue of the Calendar, it is appropriate for each Church to freely implement what it considers beneficial for the spiritual formation of its faithful, but without altering the common date of the celebration of Easter by all Orthodox.”

  Therefore, any initiative concerning the date of Easter can only be addressed within the context of a Pan-Orthodox Council.

  Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate

  In my opinion, this is a further indication that an agreement for a common date for Easter will not occur this year.  Especially in view of present tensions between the Ecumenical and Moscow Patriarchates, the likelihood of a convening of a “Pan-Orthodox Council” in the near future is almost zero. 

  The “recent statement by Pope Francis” is presumably the remarks made by Pope Francis on January 25.  https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250125-vespri-unita-cristiani.html   The remarks are as follows:

  This year, the celebration of Easter coincides in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars, a circumstance that proves providential as we commemorate the anniversary of the Ecumenical Council [of Nicaea].  I renew my appeal that this coincidence may serve as an appeal to all Christians to take a decisive step forward towards unity around a common date for Easter (cf. Bull Spes Non Confundit, 17).  The Catholic Church is open to accepting the date that everyone wants: a date of unity.

  The Pope’s references to “all Christians” and “everyone wants” clearly indicate that the Pope is speaking about an agreement that would encompass not only Catholics and Orthodox, but also the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Anglicans, and the Protestants.  Reaching such a pan-Christian consensus will take much time.

  To the best of my knowledge, Ecumenical Patriarchate has said nothing to indicate that the Orthodox would be willing to abandon its Paschalion and the Julian calendar in calculating Pascha, such as adopting a new method of calculation based on the most current astronomical data.  Indeed, the Synaxis of the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne (Ecumenical Patriarchate) stated on September 3, 2024:  “In this spirit, the unanimous wish is expressed that the common celebration of Pascha next year by Eastern and Western Christianity should not be merely a happy coincidence, but the beginning of the establishment of a common date for its annual celebration, according to the Paschalion of our Orthodox Church.”    https://ec-patr.org/%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%bd%cf%89%ce%b8%ce%ad%ce%bd-%ce%b9-%cf%83%cf%85%ce%bd%ce%ac%ce%be%ce%b5%cf%89%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%b9%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%81%cf%87%ce%af%ce%b1%cf%82/   In other words, a common celebration of Easter can be obtained by the rest of Christianity accepting the Orthodox method of calculation.  However, I have heard nothing to indicate that the rest of Christianity is seriously considering doing this.   

  Hopefully, there will someday be a common date for Easter, but, absent a miracle, it will not occur this year.

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

• 26 January 2025: Archbishop Anastasios, primate of Albanian Orthodox Church, rests in the Lord

  On January 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., Archbishop Anastasios (“Anastas” in Albanian) of Tirana, Durrës and all Albania, primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, died at the age of 95 from multiple organ failure.  https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/2025/01/25/fjeti-me-zotin-kryepiskopi-i-tiranes-durresit-dhe-gjithe-shqiperise-anastasi/   A few hours later, the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church met and issued a notice.  https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/2025/01/25/njoftim-kisha-orthodhokse-autoqefale-e-shqiperise-sinodi-i-shenjte/  Metropolitan Joan of Korça was appointed as Locum Tenens, and the funeral service was set for Thursday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m. after the Divine Liturgy.  Already many tributes for this great churchman are being expressed.  The following are a few examples:  https://ec-patr.org/%cf%83%cf%85%ce%bb%ce%bb%cf%85%cf%80%ce%b7%cf%84%ce%ae%cf%81%ce%b9%ce%bf-%cf%80%ce%b1%cf%84%cf%81%ce%b9%ce%b1%cf%81%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%ba%cf%8c-%ce%bc%ce%ae%ce%bd%cf%85%ce%bc%ce%b1-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1/ (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew); https://mospat.ru/ru/news/92802/ (Russian Patriarch Kirill); https://www.romfea.gr/ekklisia-ellados/67585-syllypitiria-ekklisias-tis-ellados-ston-topotiriti-tis-ekklisias-tis-alvanias (Church of Greece);  https://www.oikoumene.org/news/archbishop-anastasios-of-tirana-dies-at-95 (WCC). 

  Archbishop Anastasios had been hospitalized on December 30 in Tirana due to a virus and then transferred by helicopter to the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens on January 3 after his health further deteriorated.  On January 10, he was transferred to the Hospital's ICU and intubated.  On the same day he underwent emergency surgery to control bleeding in his small intestines.  Several days ago, an unsuccessful attempt was made to take the Archbishop off of the respirator and a tracheostomy was performed.  https://www.romfea.gr/epikairotita-xronika/67562-ekoimithi-o-arxiepiskopos-alvanias-anastasios  On January 23, when the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens came for a visit, he was informed that the Archbishop’s condition “remains stable, with a small improvement.”  https://www.facebook.com/koash1991/posts/935915648629788?ref=embed_post  However, a multiple organ failure then occurred, and Our Lord called the Archbishop home.

  Archbishop Anastasios accomplished so much in this lifetime.  His curriculum vitae covers many pages of honors and publications.  See, for example,  https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/en/archbishop-of-tirana-durres-and-all-albania/.  A short version (his biographical sketch) is found at https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/en/2020/04/04/biographical-sketch-of-archbishop-anastasios/ .  His life in the Church can be divided into three major periods:  University of Athens, Africa, and Albania. 

  Catholics have also contributed to the literature relating to Archbishop Anastasios.  In 2022, a book was published by the Sant’Egidio Community with the title:  Anastasio di Albania -- Un uomo dalle molte patrie.  https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Roberto-Morozzo-Della-Rocca/dp/8837235895  In the book Archbishop Anastasios, prompted by Prof. Roberto Morozzo della Rocca and Father Tommaso Opocher, retraces his entire life.  The preface is written by Dr. Andrea Riccardi, the founder of the Sant’Egidio Community.  This summer, the book was published in Albanian with the title: Kryepiskopi Anastas, Shërbëtor i Perëndisë në shumë vende (Archbishop Anastasios, Servant of God in Many Places).   On January 9, when the Archbishop was in the hospital in Athens, a major media site in Albania posted online, with the permission of Dr. Riccardi, his preface relating to the Archbishop.  The preface can be read in English with the Google translation tool.  https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/themeluesi-i-sant-egidio-janullatos-e-greqizoi-apo-lindi-njw-kishw-tw-vwrtetw-orthodhokse-shqiptare 

  The preface stresses how Archbishop Anastasios encountered the whole world and lived on the “threshold” of Orthodoxy where it interfaced with the rest of the world.  The Archbishop's perspective was not limited to that of a specific Local Orthodox Church, although he was subject to untrue criticism that he was seeking to make the Albanian Church Greek.   The following are two excerpts from Dr. Riccardi’s preface:

  His story is deeply rooted in the Orthodox faith and liturgy, about which he has written and reflected in numerous theological and historiographical works, but it also has a completely unique characteristic.  He lives a life on the “threshold” of his Church, not in the sense of a lesser belonging, but one that wants to meet others, not simply to be among them.  It is an encounter that he lived through personal conversation, as well as through the study of religions: his Christianity does not remain isolated and self-referential, but is measured against the vast and diverse religious experience of contemporary humanity.

  In Africa, where he worked as a priest and bishop, but also as a teacher, he got to know peoples who were emancipating themselves from colonialism.  He encountered a world not only inhabited by different Christian churches, but also by traditional religions with many differences between them.  He measured himself with the culture and anthropology of African peoples, appreciating many aspects and refusing to “Hellenize” the evangelical world mission: the issue was that Africans should open the Gospel, not become “Greeks,” as for example when they sang a Greek hymn in church.  The future Archbishop of Albania understood well the challenges of the African world in great transition, not only for Orthodoxy, but for all of Christianity.

  …

  For the Albanian nationalist mentality, his origin would mean the Hellenization of the Autocephalous Church.  But exactly the opposite would happen.  In fact, it can be said that with Archbishop Anastasios, an independent Albanian Orthodox Church was truly born, rooted in its country and culture, open to the world, in communion with other Orthodox Churches, ecumenical and with rich activity in international relations.  For Anastasios, the rebuilder of the Church, as can be seen in the pages of this beautiful book, life was not easy, marked by nationalist hostility to the point that he only received Albanian citizenship, issued by the president, in 2018.

  Anastasios is a Christian, a responsible bishop, who knows well that his duty is to build an Orthodox Christian Church in Albania and not to create a foreign church.  The Greek Anastasios, with his work, proved the universality of Orthodoxy and its ability to be a reality of world mission.  Amid the ruins, the painful memories, the concerns of the Albanian community, he has been a builder and world missionary.   

  The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in 1991, took charge of the situation in Orthodox Albania (where there was no longer a bishop) and sent Anastasios to Albania as Patriarchal Exarch.  Here he found 15 priests and 2 deacons who had survived the persecution, almost all in poor health.

  In this book, the Archbishop tells an emblematic episode from his life.  He was in Tirana, near the ruins of the old cathedral, without yet knowing a word in Albanian.  He was accompanied by a group of elderly people, who had survived the difficult decades of communism.  He asked how to say “Χριστός Ανέστη!” (Christ is risen!) in Albanian.  They told him, took some candles, and lit them.  Anastasios proclaimed in Albanian: “Christ is risen!”   And, as happens in the Orthodox Liturgy, everyone responded: “Truly he is risen!”   Anastasios says that “this became the essence and central message of my preaching and efforts here in Albania.”

  It had to be restarted in the perspective of the Resurrection.  Anastasios tells how he worked for 30 years to establish a true Orthodox Church in Albania, with bishops, clergy, monks from this country, with a cultural and religious profile that makes it an important reality for the country today.  He has ordained 155 priests.  And he adds: “The majority of the clergy and those responsible are Albanians”.   He did not Hellenize Albania, as his opponents feared, but he did reestablish the Christian faith in an Orthodox Church rooted in the culture and current affairs of the country.  He gathered the testimony of a generation that had suffered martyrdom and was dying out, while opening the door to a new generation, even when it did not come from Christian families.

  Thanks to the work of Archbishop Anastasios, it is extremely likely that his successor will be a native Albanian.  Under the Charter of the Albanian Church, a new archbishop is elected by the Holy Synod.  https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/en/2015/03/24/statute-of-orthodox-autocephalous-church-of-albania/ (Articles 12 and 17).  The Holy Synod consists of the archbishop and all of the active metropolitans and bishops.  (Article 11).  Aside from the Archbishopric, there are five metropolitan sees headed by the following five metropolitans: Metropolitan Dhimiti of Gjirokastër (born in Greece 1940);  Metropolitan Joan of Korça (born in Albania 1956); Metropolitan Andon of Elbasan (born in Albania 1969); Metropolitan Nikolla of Apolonia (born in Albania 1972); Metropolitan Asti of Berat (born in Albania 1974).  Other members of the Synod are Metropolitan Nathaniel, Chief Secretary of the Synod (born in Greece 1957) and Bishop Anastas, administrator of church property and economic activities (born in Albania 1979).  Presumably, one of these hierarchs will be the new primate.

  MAY THE MEMORY OF ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS BE ETERNAL!

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA  

• 16 January 2025: Bulgaria's sole "Orthodox" church & other news

  On December 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria, Commercial Chamber, issued a decision to enter into the public register a religious organization with the name, “Bulgarian Orthodox Old-style Church."  The full text of the court decision is found at https://www.vks.bg/pregled-akt.jsp?type=ot-delo&id=CBEA2A91E009B2A8C2258BF50043C5FB&fbclid=IwY2xjawHUy9NleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHf1AzGXg2GlgU2dRuc5gyG3OtnjWbpdDDY_fXsfnMzbhHlX9CXVsbzefrw_aem_EMguUQkizxInlLelZ700lg .   As the name implies, this small church objects to the use of the new Julian calendar.  The church has been in existence since 1990 and has approximately15 parishes.  See https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D1%86%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0  The Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) reacted to the court’s decision with great alarm.  On December 30, 2024, the BOC’s Holy Synod issued a statement that the “court's recognition and permission for registration of another (second) parallel ‘Orthodox Church’ within the borders of the Bulgarian state is in sharp contradiction” of a fundamental principle of canon law “that on a specific state territory there can exist only one Church with one Primate and one Holy Council.”   https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/izyavlenie-na-svetia-sinod-na-bpts-bp-vav-vrazka-s-resheniet  The Holy Synod stated that the BOC is recognized by the other Local Orthodox Churches and can be the only “Orthodox” church in Bulgaria.

  On January 14, 2025, Prof. Natalia Kiselova, Chairperson of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, met with Patriarch Daniil and the members of the Synod.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/sreshta-na-sv-sinod-na-bpts-bp-s-dots-natalia-kiselova-preds  The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the Patriarch and the Synod with bills submitted by a wide range of political parties to amend the Law on Religious Denominations to recognize the BOC as the sole expression of Eastern Orthodoxy in Bulgaria.  Three different bills relating to this issue were passed on the first reading by the National Assembly on January 9.  The bills are described at https://dveri.bg/component/com_content/Itemid,100723/catid,14/id,73872/view,article/.  The full text of the bills can be read at  https://www.parliament.bg/bg/bills/ID/165951.  The Assembly’s committee responsible for the bills will now consolidate the three bills into a single bill. 

  An interesting legal question will be raised if Bulgaria does pass a law providing that the BOC is the only religious organization in Bulgaria that can use the word “Orthodox” in its legal title.  On January 13, the “Armenian Apostolic Orthodox [emphasis added] Holy Church” sent a letter to the Chairperson of the National Assembly stating that the proposed bills should not affect its legal title which has already been registered in Bulgaria.  https://dveri.bg/component/com_content/Itemid,100723/catid,14/id,73883/view,article/   You may recall that Ukraine passed a law (Law 2662-VIII) in December 2018 which in effect requires that the UOC include Russia in its legal title.  https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-s-president-signs-law-forcing-orthodox-church-to-change-its-name/29671193.html  According to the UOC, a church “has the right to determine what it will be called” and limitations of this right violate international conventions.  https://vzcz.church.ua/2021/12/20/u-kijevo-pecherskij-lavri-vidbuvsya-kruglij-stil-tri-roki-sprob-primusovogo-perejmenuvannya-ukrajinskoji-pravoslavnoji-cerkvi-naslidki-ocinki-komentari/  If the Bulgarian National Assembly does give the BOC the exclusive right to use the word “Orthodox” in its title, the matter may possibly end up at the European Court of Human Rights.

  On January 14, the Holy Synod of the BOC also published the list of bishops who will be candidates to become the new Metropolitan of Vidin, a vacancy caused by the election of Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin to be the new Bulgarian patriarch.  https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/sv-sinod-opredeli-listata-s-dostoizbiraemite-episkopi-kandid--3  The new metropolitan will become a member of the Holy Synod.  The election is extremely important as the Holy Synod is now sharply divided.  For example, Patriarch Daniil and Metropolitan Gavriil support good relations with the Moscow Patriarchate.  On the other hand, a group of six metropolitans on the Synod are consistent supporters of Constantinople.  The list of candidates announced on January 14 will be submitted to the Vidin Diocesan Electoral Council, which consists of a specified number of clergy and laity from the various deaneries in the Vidin diocese.  On February 2 the Electoral Council will elect a “short list” of two candidates.  On February 9, the Holy Synod will meet and elect one of the two as the new Metropolitan of Vidin.

  In my opinion, it is likely that the future Metropolitan of Vidin will share the views of Daniil and Gavriil.  The Vidin Diocesan Electoral Council will probably support bishops who are favored by Patriarch Daniil because of the six years that Daniil previously headed the Vidin Diocese.  The list of eight candidates includes Bishop Sionios of Veliki, who served under Daniil as his vicar bishop, and Bishop Mikhael of Constantine, who is the vicar of Metropolitan Gavriil.  If the Vidin Electoral Council elects both Sionios and Mikhael to be on the two-person short list, the Holy Synod will have no choice but to elect one of them as the new Metropolitan of Vidin.  It is more likely than not that a vicar bishop will share his governing bishop's views on such matters as support of Moscow.   

   On December 31, 2024, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued its “REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN UKRAINE, 1 September to 30 November 2024.”  The full report in English can be accessed at  https://ukraine.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/PR41%20Ukraine%202024-12-31.pdf .  Six pages (pp. 14-20) of the report cover human rights in the territory occupied by the Russian Federation, and four pages (pp. 20 – 24) cover human rights in the territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine.  Ukrainian Law 3894, the new law regarding religious organizations, is discussed in the Report's executive summary at pages 2-3 and in its general text at paragraphs 84 – 88, found at pages  20 – 21.  With respect to Law 3894, the executive summary states:  “In territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine, new legal provisions regarding religious organizations entered into force; these prohibit the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian religious organizations found to be affiliated with counterparts in the Russian Federation. The law introducing these provisions established disproportionate restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief.”

  The general text of the Report focuses on the specific provisions found in the language of 3894.  The conclusions reached by the Report with respect to these provisions are supported by references in the Report to the applicable parts of the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).  The Report includes such findings as the following:

  Law 3894  invokes  “national (or public) security” as a ground for restrictions on freedom of religion, but neither the ICCPR nor the ECHR include “national security” as a permissible ground for such restrictions.

  Law 3894 “also established disproportionate restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief.”

  “Ukraine has not demonstrated the necessity and proportionality of this measure [dissolution of the religious organization],  such as by showing why less restrictive measures, such as measures restricted specifically to individuals responsible for wrongdoing, would not be satisfactory and sufficient.”

  “Furthermore, the amendments state that a religious organization shall be dissolved if its ‘authorized persons’ are convicted of various crimes, including those against national security, or if the organization is involved in ‘repeated facts’ of spreading the ‘propaganda of the ideology of the Russian World,’ vague terms that do not give fair notice of what the law requires.  These provisions can result in entire religious communities being held responsible for the conduct of specific individuals.  Furthermore, the overbroad and ambiguous formulation may put in jeopardy the right to freedom of expression.”

  “The amendments also prohibit Ukrainian religious organizations that are affiliated with another organization holding a prohibited affiliation, enabling the dissolution of many interconnected religious organizations without an individual case-by-case assessment.”

  “[O]n the basis of an administrative decision that a Ukrainian religious organization has a prohibited affiliation, State entities are ordered to cancel all contracts for lease of property to the religious organization, even before a court has taken a decision on the religious organization’s dissolution.”

  On January 2, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a “Commentary…on the UN’s false accusations.”  The total text of the Commentary can be read in English at https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/komentar-mzs-shchodo-nepravdivih-zvinuvachen-oon-v-nibito-obmezhenni-ukrayinoyu-religijnih-svobod.  The Commentary does not reference any of the specific provisions of Law 3894.  The Commentary makes no reference to the ICCPR or the ECHR.  There is no attempt by the Commentary to address the specific problems raised by the Report (summarized above).  The Ukrainian government continues to try to defend Law 3894 without ever referring to what Law 3894 actually says.  As discussed in my previous newsletters, I have prepared a Google English translation of the entire text of Law 3894 and provided comments on the various provisions at https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/assets/public/files/Dokumentation/Anderson/LAW%203894%20OF%20UKRAINE.pdf  The comments include serious problems with Law 3894 in addition to those enumerated in the OHCHR Report above.

  In a speech to the UN Security Council on November 17, 2023, the UN’s Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris, addressed the subject of the draft law which is now Law 3894.  In the presence of Ukraine’s mission to the UN, she extended an express invitation to Ukrainian lawmakers to make use of the expertise of the OHCHR “to assess whether the proposed means are clearly defined and the least intrusive ones possible for achieving the specific aim, and whether the proposed amendments comply with international legal standards.”  https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/11/asg-brands-kehris-briefs-security-council-ukraine  Ukraine never responded to this invitation.  If Ukraine had worked with the experts of the OHCHR, the OHCHR negative report on Law 3894 may never have been necessary.

  With the election of Trump, there have been relatively few comments in the Ukrainian media about Law 3894.  Now, Deputy Mykyta Poturayev, head of the Rada committee that was responsible for 3894, has stated that the regulations implementing 3894 have been drafted by DESS and are awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.   https://glavcom.ua/country/politics/zaborona-moskovskoji-tserkvi-v-ukrajini-sluha-narodu-pojasniv-shcho-halmuje-protses--1039201.html#google_vignette  Poturayev believes that approval will be obtained by the end of January and that DESS will then be able to begin its examinations of whether Ukrainian religious organizations are affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.  Under the terms of 3894, the Cabinet of Ministers was required to complete its work by November 24, 2024 (three months after the publication of the Law).  See Article 6.  It therefore appears that the Cabinet of Ministers will be approximately two months late in completing its work.  Is this delay intentional in view of Trump’s election?  Under the Law, DESS will be able to bring court proceedings to dissolve a religious organization beginning May 24, 2025.

  Lastly, Archbishop Anastasios, primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania, remains in critical condition at the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens.  The last report by his doctors was on January 10.   https://orthodoxalbania.org/2020/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/%CE%99%CE%91%CE%A4%CE%A1%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%9F-%CE%91%CE%9D%CE%91%CE%9A%CE%9F%CE%99%CE%9D%CE%A9%CE%98%CE%95%CE%9D.png  There have been no reports since that time, which is probably a hopeful sign.  Many people are praying for this outstanding hierarch. 

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

• 1 January 2025: Interview of Metropolitan Hilarion by RIA Novosti

  https://ria.ru/20241231/ilarion-1992145756.html  This is an interview of Metropolitan Hilarion relating to the recent decision of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate to retire him.   Although the entire interview should be read, Metropolitan Hilarion’s answer to the first question summarizes his reaction to the decision of the Holy Synod.  The answer is as follows:

  I have accepted this decision with humility and gratitude and will work where I am assigned.  And those shortcomings in my personal life and everyday life that His Holiness the Patriarch pointed out, I will try to correct with God's help.

  The past year has been difficult for me.  Enormous efforts have been made to deprive me of the opportunity to serve the Church.  The secret services, foreign agent media, persons wanted internationally, defrocked former clergy and militant atheists have united for this purpose.  Slander, blackmail, threats and falsified evidence have all been used.

  But the Church protected me.  I can continue to serve, preach, perform sacred sacraments, and stand before the throne of God.  For this I am grateful to His Holiness the Patriarch and the Holy Synod.

   

  Peter Anderson, Seattle USA