Attitude of Abbot Serafim (Kuznetsov) towards Renewal Dissent on correspondence with Tychon Clergy of Perm Eparchу from Jerusalem in 1927-1931

Abstract

The renewing dissenting movement which arose in Russian Church in the 20th, unexpectedly was supported by Eastern Patriarchates — Constantinople and Jerusalem. Pursuing the political and economic interests, Eastern Patriarchs established the relations with renewal “Sacred Synod”, thereby putting canonical Russian Orthodox Church in an ambiguous position. Moscow Patriarchy sought to prevent further adventures of dissenters at the level of inter-church relationships in any way. Attempts to convince Eastern Patriarchs of illegality of renewal hierarchy and perniciousness of all forms of communication with them were made. For that purpose priests from the entourage of Perm bishop Pavlin (Kroshechkin) started a dangerous correspondence with Russian abbot Serafim (Kuznetsov) who lived in Jerusalem and had close relationships with Jerusalem patriarch Damian. The correspondence had been lasted since 1927 till 1931 but had no essential results. Abbot Serafim who took the side of Tychonoff clergy was not able to change the policy of patriarch Damian, continuing contacts with “obnovlents”.

Keywords

• Russian Orthodox Church
• Moscow Patriarchy
• Eastern Patriarchs
• renewal movement
• Sacred Synod
• bishop
• priests
• correspondence
• Jerusalem
• policy