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Posted on Wed Nov 16 2005:
"If the whole nation drops out of the Orthodox community because of the unsolved problems, it is a great loss for the entire Orthodox family that can leave no one indifferent", Patriarch Alexy II said. Alexy II offers mediation in the settlement of inter-Orthodox conflict in Macedonia
Moscow, November 15, Interfax - Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia offered mediation of the Russian Orthodox church in the settlement of church conflict in Macedonia.
Moscow, November 15, Interfax - Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia offered mediation of the Russian Orthodox church in the settlement of church conflict in Macedonia.
Answering a question of the Tanyug news agency about activities of the canonically unrecognized Orthodox church in Macedonia and Montenegro, he emphasized that there should be no room for nationalism in the Church as ‘nationalism belittles dignity and infracts rights of other people. One should cherish first and foremost ‘the unity of faith that transcends all ethnic differences’ but at the same time respect ‘patriotic feelings of all people’, the patriarch asserts.
He thinks that the divisions in the Church ‘should be overcome in the spirit of Christian love’ through dialogue based on the canons. However, two unrecognized churches (in Macedonia and Montenegro - IF) in the territory of former Yugoslavia clearly differ from each other, the patriarch believes.
As to Montenegro, the patriarch noted that ‘a small group of people who were not ordained legitimately’ cannot be ‘called a church and speak on behalf of the people of Montenegro’, who are rightfully represented by the Montenegro metropolia of the Serbian Orthodox Church ‘known throughout Orthodox world’.
Patriarch believes that situation in Macedonia is more ‘complicated’. Deeply regretful is a forty-year ‘division that caused many Orthodox Christians in the country to stay outside full church communion with people of the same faith in Serbia and Montenegro and throughout the world’.
‘If the whole nation drops out of the Orthodox community because of the unsolved problems, it is a great loss for the entire Orthodox family that can leave no one indifferent’, Patriarch Alexy II underscores calling the parties for the dialogue and reminding that the Russian Orthodox Church is ready ‘to do what she can to help negotiation process’. The Serbian part has not claimed her help.
‘It is necessary to give a hand to each other at this uneasy for Balkan Orthodox Christians time’, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox church thinks.