The Russian Orthodox Church has confirmed that it will not attend the historic Pan-Orthodox Council which is due to take place in Kolymbari, Crete, from 18 until 26 June because of the absence of other churches.
Hilarion, a bishop who heads the Moscow Patriarchate's department of external church relations, said in a televised statement that Russia would not take part in what was to be potentially the first official meeting between the leaders of the Orthodox faith for a millennium because others have said they were walking out, and suggested the meeting be postponed.
“We have made a decision that we will not be able to take part in the all-Orthodox Synod if other churches do not go,” Hilarion said. “One church after another declares that it is not participating, which means there will be no consensus, which means it is no longer a Pan-Orthodox Council. And we believe that the only way out of this difficult situation is to postpone the council."
The announcement of the Russian Orthodox Church with an estimated 100 million followers is a heavy blow to the plans by Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios I who hoped the gathering of leaders from 14 independent Orthodox churches later this month could promote unity among the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians. Bartholomaios I ranks as “the first among equals” in the Orthodox world.
Bulgaria's Orthodox Church put the plans in jeopardy last week saying it would not attend, citing differences over the agenda.
‘Preparation for the Council has lasted 55 years. As it transpires, this preparation has not been concluded, as certain Churches express their dissatisfaction with the process of preparation," Hilarion said on Russian TV. "One Church, namely, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has already stated her refusal to participate in the Council. It may well be that the two more, the Antiochian and the Serbian Churches, will also renounce their participation.
‘We proposed to the Patriarch of Constantinople to hold a Pre-Council conference to resolve all issues because of which the Churches are refusing to participate. If these issues will be resolved, the Council will take place. If they will not be resolved, then it would be better to postpone it.
‘It is important for us that the Council will be a factor of unity and unanimity with no unpleasant surprises for the Orthodox Churches.
‘Decisions at the Council should be taken by consensus which means unanimously, not simply by agreement on this or that statement or document of all those present. Consensus for us means that all Churches express agreement.
‘If one, two or three Local Orthodox Churches are absent at the Council, it means no consensus. And what kind of legitimacy this Council will have? How its decisions will be perceived in the Church that renounced her participation not on technical, but on principal reasons?’ Hilarion said in a statement.
Earlier this week, an international group of Orthodox scholars wrote an open letter to all Orthodox Christians urging that the historic Pan-Orthodox Council which is due to take place in Kolymbari, Crete, from 18 until 26 June should not be postponed.
Attempts have been made since 1901 to bring the Churches together to discuss unity, but they have never come to fruition. This month’s Council was confirmed by Orthodox leaders in January, but since then different Churches have objected to drafts of conciliar documents as well as to more practical issues including such matters as seating plans. Some have threatened to boycott the event altogether, which would destroy its ultimate aim of speaking with one Orthodox voice.
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