Position of the Russian Church outside Russia as to the issue of holiness of Moscow Patriarchate in the period of metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky)
Abstract
This article is devoted to the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia to Moscow Patriarchate during the period Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky). During his years as head of the Russian Church Abroad, criticism of the actions of Moscow Patriarchate intensifi ed. The reason for criticism was the Patriarchate’s support for the Communist state, as well as its participation in the ecumenical movement. Metropolitan Filaret, who initially expressed his opinion with restraint, gradually changed his rhetoric. Partly, the Metropolitan’s sharpness was due to the infl uence of radicals, i.e. Protopresbyter George (Grabbe) (later Bishop Gregory) and Archimandrite Panteleimon (Metropoulos). The Councils and the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia also made harsh statements. In particular, it was said that Moscow Patriarchate cannot be considered the successor of His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon, and its orders are illegal. Attempts were made to declare Moscow Patriarchate unholy (Rus. безблагодатный, lit. ‘with no divine grace’). This opinion was expressed by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky), as well as by the secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Protopresbyter George Grabbe. They believed that the holiness (Rus. благодать) of the cleric of Moscow Patriarchate can only be obtained at the moment of joining the Russian Church Outside Russia. Despite this opinion, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia did not offi cially declare Moscow Patriarchate unholy. A large part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia spoke of Moscow Patriarchate with respect and were ready for dialogue.
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