[intisgunkas]

Dear Randy,

I think we are getting frivolous here. The opinions of certain hierarchs do not change the reality that the Orthodox people of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are and have always been canonically under one ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The chief hierarch was originally the Metropolitan of Kiev, subjegated under the Ecumenical Patriarch, because the first capital of Rus was Kiev. When Moscow emerged as the capital of Rus', the Metropolitane was eventually transfered to Moscow and the Russian Church was granted autocephaly, so the Ecumenical Patriarchate has no right to interfere or make decisions in these affairs. She can suggest but not act. The fact that Ukraine is now a separate politcal state, does not mean that it is ecclesiastically separate from Moscow. The "Kiev Patriarchate" is schimatic, as is any other Orthodox believing organization outside the blessing of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine. Only the Moscow Patriarchate can grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, which is already autonomous. So, we can say whatever we feel but that does not change the canons.
As for this other, off the topic issue, of "moving toward peace, unity, and brotherly love" with the Latins. Are you trying to get a reaction here? I doubt any of us here hold any personal animosity towards the Roman Catholic Church or her members. But the reason we are not together is because unity can only come through unity in the fullness of Truth, which only the Orthodox Church possesses. I agree that the Orthodox Church should and must do more to help people with their spiritual and material needs. That is being done. Living here in Moscow, it is quite amazing what the Russian Church is doing in the realm of social services. But we would be betraying Christ himself if we denied the reality that ONLY the Orthodox Church possesses the fullness of salvific grace and Truth. It is not an "eastern lung" or "branch", but is the Tree of Life. The Roman Catholic Church is NOT these things. It is both schismatic and heretical. Even the current Ecumenical Patriarch has called our differences ontological. So, I suggest reading the Church Fathers and what they said about the Latin Church after its fall from Orthodoxy in the 11th century, rather than following the politically correct, emotional, wishy-washyness of ecumenism and syncretism.