Does ROCOR have the right to judge the heads of the Local Churches? (1997)

 Metropolitan Vitaly: Does the ROCOR have the right to judge the heads of Local Churches? [1997]

 

Your Grace, Right Reverend Vladyka,

In response to the inquiry and proposal from the Greek Old Calendar Metropolitan Cyprian regarding a joint decision with us to condemn the ecumenical errors of the Ecumenical Patriarchs, I would like to offer the members of the Hierarchical Synod the following reply:

On this 28th/15th day of January 1997, at a meeting of the Hierarchical Synod, the aforementioned proposal was discussed, and the following decision was made:

There is no doubt that the Ecumenical Patriarchs, along with other heads of Local Orthodox Churches, being actively involved in ecumenism, have placed themselves on the defendant's bench. However, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad does not consider itself to have the authority or right to pronounce judgment over them, leaving this responsible matter to a potential lawful future Ecumenical Council. Any other attempt at condemnation would be a pitiful spectacle, incompatible with our honorable seventy-five years of faithful canonical standing in the thousand-year history of the Russian Church.

The ever-blessed Metropolitan Philaret, in his time, sent his "Sorrowful Epistle" to all the Ecumenical Patriarchs. We can only reinforce this message by noting that the Ecumenical Patriarchs are now in danger of losing the precious God-given gift of freedom, as they receive directives and "advice" from the central administration of ecumenism in the notorious Geneva.

 

Your sincere well-wisher,

Metropolitan Vitaly

Source: https://kirillov-v-y.livejournal.com/33147.html