(Peter Anderson)Today, December 4, an agreement was signed by Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Ecumenical Patriarchate) and Metropolitan John of Doubna (who is president of “l’Union directrice diocésaine des associations orthodoxes russes en Europe occidentale” and who also is a hierarch of the Moscow Patriarchate) aimed “to guarantee a future in peace and harmony for the various communities” of their respective organizations. The full text of the joint press release setting forth the
terms of the agreement is posted in French at (link) . As you recall, the parishes that formed the earlier Archdiocese of the churches of the Russian Orthodox tradition in Western Europe fractured last year – some joining the Moscow Patriarchate, some remaining in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and a few joining other Local Orthodox Churches. It appears that this new agreement is not limited to France, the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Emmanuel, but also extends to all metropolises of Ecumenical Patriarchate in Europe. It also appears that Metropolitan John entered into the agreement as president of the French legal entity under which his Archdiocese exists. Thus, this in not technically an agreement between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with which the Moscow Patriarchate has severed communion. Still, I consider it a good sign of some cooperation between the two Patriarchates.
read more
read more