Rome and Russia draw closer
Those of a certain age may remember watching Anthony Quinn and Laurence Olivier face off as the fictional Pope Kiril I and Soviet Premier in the film version of The Shoes of the Fisherman. Armed with such images, we may be surprised to learn that the Russian Federation may soon enter into full diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
Rocco Palmo, blogging at Whispers in Loggia, talks about the ecumenical ramifications of closer ties between Moscow and the Holy See.
Nearly two decades after the Soviet Union's collapse -- and only months since the ascent of a Rome-friendly head of Moscow's powerful Orthodox patriarchate -- full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Russia are becoming a reality.
The announcement came earlier today at the close of a private audience between the Pope and Russian President Dimitri Medvedev, who's reportedly made firm pushes for closer ties between the Kremlin and Vatican behind the scenes at home.
The encounter between president and pontiff -- Medvedev's first -- came at the close of a year that's seen an increasingly rapid thaw toward Rome on the part of the Russian Orthodox church, whose prior head, Patriarch Alexei II, died a year ago this week. Elected in February, Alexei's successor, Patriarch Kirill, came to the 160 million-member fold's top post after two decades overseeing the church's external relations, which made him the patriarchate's point-man to the Vatican, where his ascent was rapturously received. (From day one of his pontificate, a stepped-up outreach to Moscow has been B16's top priority in the wider Christian world.)In the months since, the Pope quickly received Alexei's new "foreign minister," Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, and the "cultural and social questions of mutual interest" which Benedict and Medvedev talked up today -- namely, "the value of the family and the contribution believers make to life in Russia," among others -- are precisely those which the Roman and Russian pontiffs have marked out as their shared ground for closer ties. What's more, in recent days a collection of Benedict's speeches on the preeminence of Europe's Christian heritage conspicuously appeared in a Russian edition... one published by the Moscow patriarchate.
While Kirill and Benedict met on three occasions prior to his election as patriarch, the sitting heads of the Roman and Moscow churches have never come face to face. Then again, that might not be the case for much longer -- venues for the historic summit have already begun volunteering themselves.
Beside the potential for an historic meeting between the heads of two autocephelous churches, this also lines up with Benedicts desire for a religiously traditional offset to a secular Europe.
Oh boy, an alliance of haters. Last I heard about Russian Church, they were sending a "party barge" down the Volga, loaded with priest-exorcists who were hurling holy water at a gay cruise ship. Sounds like a good time had by all. I'm sure Benny And Kirill Show will be a big hit. I'm also just *sure* that ++Rowan will pout if he doesn't get invited to the party. Maybe they'll have a Benny And Kirill Circuit Party and hit ALL the Ancient Sees so none of the Pointy Hatters or Onion Domers or Horsehair-Headed Ladies will feel left out.
Oh wait, that means they won't be coming here. I think I can totally live with that.
Posted by Clint Davis![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 7, 2009 1:12 PM
Hey Clint,
Right ecumenical of you! There is more to life and to the church than rewriting moral theology to suit contemporary mores. Ever hear of healing the Great Schism? Ever think about the symbolism of rapproachment between East and West? Ever think of the importance of the two great branches of the Church working together against the forces of evil?
There are much more important things in the world than our Anglican mud fight.
Bill Ledbetter,
Los Angeles
Posted by LA Episcopal priest![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 7, 2009 2:28 PM
Ever think of the importance of the two great branches of the Church working together against the forces of evil?
That would be GREAT, Fr Bill . . . but Clint is commenting on the actual story, above, not on the Great Ecumenical Dream of the 20th century (of which I, too, hope to live to see its further fruition. However, I'm afraid the current Pilate&Herod-like connivings of Rome and Moscow---speaking of "the forces of evil"!---only push that prayed-for day into the distant future).
Nevermind Bad News across the sea though: CONGRATS and Alleluia!, LA Episcopal priest, on your two new outstanding, faithful bishops-elect! :-)
JC Fisher
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 8, 2009 12:41 AM