[IACJdKfU]

I think this is a good sign of movement to allow Orthodox Christians to express themselves in such a place as Turkey,

From the website of the Moscow patriarchate, Russian version, translated by Google:

Archimandrite Bessarion (Komzias): Opening of the Russian Orthodox parish in Antalya - is a big breakthrough in relations both between Constantinople and Moscow Patriarchate, as well as between Moscow and Ankara

12/29/2010 · Inter-Orthodox relations

In an interview with "Orthodoxy and the World" , published in December 2010, the great ierokiriks Ecumenical Patriarchate Archimandrite Bessarion (Komzias) spoke about the life nourished them Russian parish of St. Alypy Stylites in Antalya.

Speaking about the situation of Orthodoxy in modern Turkey, the father of Bessarion said recently in a country undergoing big changes. "Ten years ago, we were able to perform service in the church of St. Nicholas in Myra Myra, was built by the Garden of Religions", in the first time this year after the expulsion of Greeks from Anatolia Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the liturgy in Sumelskom Monastery.

According to Archimandrite Bessarion, the Turkish leadership is committed to strengthening interethnic and inter-religious peace in the country. "The opening of a Russian Orthodox parish in Antalya on the canonical territory of the Patriarchate of Constantinople - a major breakthrough in relations between the sister Churches, and in relations between Moscow and Ankara", - said the priest.

In 2006 have been collected and handed over to Patriarch Bartholomew over 300 signatures requesting to open in Antalya, a Russian Orthodox church. This topic was discussed, in particular, at a meeting of Patriarch Bartholomew and the venerable Patriarch Alexy II in Istanbul in 2007. A big role in positive decision played Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill (then chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of Moscow Patriarchate). The first worship service for Russian-speaking community was committed in 2009 in the Orthodox Church in the Garden of Religions "in Belek, and in 2010 opened the church of St Alypy.

Divine Liturgy at the church Alipievskom done regularly (once a month) in Church Slavonic. Stone building of the temple with a triangular roof was built in 1841. To him rests a small courtyard with a number of outbuildings. As is customary in the East, the temple as it is a wall of the quarter, and it should go through a special gate. Currently in the church are repairs: erect gallery, plastering the walls.

The parish in Antalya Archimandrite Vissarion originally from Greece. In 2006, fulfilling the will of his late father, he went to study and learn Russian in St. Petersburg Theological Academy. "In 2009 I returned and was ordained a priest during the liturgy, which is made in Istanbul on July 5 in conjunction Bartholomew and Cyril - he says. - How to speak Russian I was immediately appointed rector of the Russian community in Antalya.

According to available data, currently reside in Turkey, about 200 thousand citizens of Russia: immigrants, workers of joint ventures and organizations. The largest Russian-speaking community in the country is located in Antalya. In addition, from April to early November every year come here more than two million Russian tourists.

The project is the revival of ancient traditions of Russian pilgrims visiting shrines in Asia Minor, which was agreed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Cyril and His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during the official visit of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Church of Constantinople, 4 - 6 July 2009, has already held four pilgrimages. A pilgrimage attended by believers from Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other countries.

[Q0KmoR8K]

Good news. So, which Patriarch is this parish actually under?

[Agitoligflise]

Is there some form of cooperation between the EP and the MP here? Seems likely.

[ButKnillinoi]

I should think part of the opening statement Opening of the Russian Orthodox parish in Antalya - is a big breakthrough in relations both between Constantinople and Moscow Patriarchate, as well as between Moscow and Ankara ought to be a big clue...

[cut sifted ephedra sinica]

Is there some form of cooperation between the EP and the MP here? Seems likely.

This may result from the recent co operation between the EP & MP which has allowed for the canonical gatherings of bishops of different areas of the diaspora. This is truly a move of great importance since for the first time since WWII the EP & MP have found a way to work together in canonical co operation. What this did is to clear up suddenly a log jam of disunity which in the past could never be overcome, despite all of the efforts. The situation behind this is that most Orthodox churches during the 20thc settled gradually either in the orbit (canonically or spiritually) of the EP or the MP.

In Christ- Fr Raphael