ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 824), February 28, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@globalx.net


[12] Russian Patriarch seeks to smooth tensions with Ecumenical
     Patriarchate
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Moscow, 28/02/1996 (ANA - D. Constantakopulos)

Patriarch Alexios II of Moscow and All Russia yesterday
expressed the hope that difficulties in relations with the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople would be overcome to
prevent further aggravation of the tension between the two
Orthodox patriarchates.

"There is no schism, but there are certain difficulties and
serious obstacles in the relations between the patriarchates,"
Alexios said in an exclusive interview with the Athens News
Agency (ANA) correspondent in Moscow.

The tension arose after the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Holy Synod
decided to honor a 1923 decision founding the autonomous
Estonian Orthodox Missionary Church as the "Orthodox
Metropolitan of Estonia". The Estonian Church was recognized as
an autonomous church in 1923 under Patriarch Meletios but was
forcibly abolished when Stalin annexed Estonia to the Soviet
Union after World War II.

Talks between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Moscow
Patriarchate, initiated after political authorities and the
Orthodox Estonians called for implementation of the 1923
decision, fell through in early February, and the Holy Synod
went ahead with implementation of the 1923 decision to avert
Orthodox Estonians, who do not want Moscow jurisdiction in their
independent country, turning to Protestant dogmas.

Alexios expressed the hope that "steps will be taken immediately
by both sides (Patriarchates) to prevent aggravation of the
discord". He said he would do his "utmost to preserve the unity
of the Church, which is necessary to confront the difficulties
it faces today".

The Patriarch reiterated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople is the "first among equals... and the Russian
Patriarchate has no claims whatsoever on advancing its rank".

Meanwhile, reliable sources said "intensive mediation efforts"
were taking place to defuse the tension between the two
patriarchates and to "find a solution acceptable to both sides
regarding the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Estonians".

Efforts were also being made, the same sources said, so that the
issue would not adversely affect the excellent relations between
the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches.