Copyright © 2021 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Moscow Patriarchate moved into Africa to provide cover for FSB officers and PMCs, not to punish anyone over Ukraine, Horyevoy says

The Moscow Patriarchate's church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg, South Africa (Photo: trtrussian.com)
The Moscow Patriarchate’s church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg, South Africa (Photo: trtrussian.com)
Edited by: A. N.

The Moscow Patriarchate has insisted and most people have accepted the idea that Kirill has expanded the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa to punish the Alexandria Patriarchate for recognizing Ukrainian autocephaly.

But the timing of Moscow’s decision and indeed the way in which the Russian church is using funds to buy its way into Africa where most parishes and dioceses are very poor suggests that this Russian claim should be dismissed, according to Ukrainian commentator Dmytro Horyevoy.

If Kirill had wanted to use this violation of Orthodox cannon law about the division of responsibilities in the world among various patriarchates because of Ukraine, the Russian church leader should have acted in 2019 when the Ecumenical Patriarch extended autocephaly to the Orthodox of Ukraine.

Instead, he has made this move over the course of the last several months. And it is obvious that the places Moscow has bought off local Alexandrian parishes and bishoprics just happen to be locations of particular interest to Russia’s FSB security service and “private” military companies, Gorevoy says.

The Russian church has a long history of providing cover for Soviet and Russian intelligence officers working abroad, and it is clear that this move into Africa has little or nothing to do with Ukraine and the Orthodox world and everything to do with the Kremlin’s desire to expand its footprint in Africa, the analyst concludes.

Read More:

Edited by: A. N.
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!
Total
0
Shares
Related Posts