Hannah Kett | Wednesday, 10 June 2009 20:14
Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church was enthroned on February 1, 2009, and his public statements—both past and present—have emphasized the need to maintain Russia's unique religious beliefs while also promoting international cooperation between different Christian groups. His mixed messages leave Catholics, Protestants, and other groups doubting whether Patriarch Kirill will advocate greater freedom for religious minorities in Russia. The relationship between Russian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism—two of the largest branches of Christianity—has a significant impact on interfaith relations in Russia and around the world; therefore, it is a useful case-study when evaluating Kirill's patriarchy.
Examining recent Russian Orthodox history can help one understand and appreciate the new Patriarch's position. During the Soviet Period, the Church—previously integrated with the tsarist government—was nearly destroyed.[i] After the fall of the Soviet Union, the late Patriarch Alexy II, Kirill's predecessor, was credited with restoring unity and power to the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2007, an important milestone came when Alexy formed an agreement with the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia to increase cooperation.[ii]
Alexy did little, however, for relations with the broader Christian family, and he refused to welcome Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI to Russia. Though the 600,000 Roman Catholics within Russia make up 2% of the population, Roman Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in the world. Its presence in Russia was deemed a threat by Patriarch Alexy. Roman Catholics continually denied accusations that they were attempting to proselytize Orthodox believers, but Alexy considered the establishment of dioceses and any evangelization as a betrayal.[iii]
Patriarch Kirill supported Alexy's refusal to welcome either Pope.[iv] However, as chairman of the Church's external relations department during Alexy's reign, Kirill met with Pope Benedict three different times during his trips abroad. During a May 2006 trip to Rome, he said "The Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church must work together to bring to light again the Christian roots of Europe."[v] Kirill's willingness to cooperate has increased the two churches' ability to have international dialogue outside of Russia.
Since his election, Kirill has continued his call for open communication and collaboration with the wider Christian community. During his enthronement speech, Kirill said the Church needs to be a place of dialogue,[vi] and his positive relationship with the Catholic Church outside of Russia has been a hopeful sign for the Catholic leadership. Indeed, in welcoming the new patriarch, Pope Benedict discussed his hopes for continued dialogue; he told the patriarch "...you yourself played an outstanding role in forging a new relationship based on friendship, mutual acceptance and sincere dialogue in facing the difficulties of our common journey."[vii] Since then, Kirill has again told Pope Benedict that those who call themselves Christian should partner to bring the message of Christ to the contemporary world.[viii]
As Catholics hope for greater unity between the two churches within Russia as well as abroad, they have a positive attitude towards the election of Kirill and affirm their mutual commitment to bringing Christian values to the world.[ix] Following the election, the Archbishop of the Moscow diocese of the Catholic Church said, "The relationship we have with Metropolitan Kirill, now patriarch, gives us hope for the continuation of dialogue, of common activities and of the intensification of our prayers for full unity."[x] Catholic representatives at Kirill's enthronement revealed an attitude of cooperation and openness when they kissed the cross that Kirill held.[xi]Despite this outward signs of cooperation, an increased openness and collaboration in international affairs does not translate to improved relations between the two churches within Russia.
Kirill's rhetoric of unity with the outside world while he suppresses non-Orthodox Christian influence within Russia has led to differing evaluations of his patriarchy. His public statements consistently press one theme: cultures must be maintained even while the world works toward unity and cooperation. This rhetoric reveals the Orthodox-Catholic tensions within Russia, where 100 million believers equate Russian Orthodoxy with the true Russian identity. When addressing the World Council of Churches in 2002—a body that includes Anglicans, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox, and Reformed believers—Kirill said that within Russia "We appreciate both the concern of the West for human dignity and rights, and the zeal of the East for the faith of the forefathers and for traditions."[xii]
Kirill's dedication to tradition has led Catholics to doubt his desire for unity within Russia, and Kirill's record— from the perspective of more liberal Orthodox believers and those who are non-Orthodox—supports these doubts. Though Kirill affirms open channels of communication, the differences between the two churches run deep. Even as they congratulated the new Patriarch, the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity pointed to these differences, saying they have "raised hopes for better ties between the churches despite the ‘difficulties.'"[xiii]
Some consider the willingness for open dialogue a move towards religious freedom; however, Kirill continues to advocate for canonical borders and a reduced number of Catholic communities within Russia.[xiv] In December 2007, Kirill discussed the Roman Catholic expansion into traditionally Orthodox territory and said "We shall never recognize (Catholic dioceses) and will always dispute the presence of ordinary Catholic dioceses in the territory of Russia."[xv] This is a clear sign that the Catholic desire for greater religious freedom may not be fulfilled.
Kirill's ability to place restrictions on other faith groups reveals the power granted to the Russian Orthodox Church by the state, despite a 1997 law restricting the government's ability to interfere with religion. The law notes "the ‘special contribution' of Orthodoxy to the country's history and to the establishment and development of its spirituality and culture."[xvi] President Dmitry Medvedev affirmed this contribution when he played a prominent role in Kirill's enthronement ceremony.
As the government and the church strive to decrease foreign influence, the relationship between the two has allowed for discrimination against other religions. Like Catholics, Protestants are unsure that Kirill will support their practical aims, which include regaining churches that were confiscated during the Soviet Period. [xvii] Kirill's statement in a 2002 speech reveals the basis for these concerns: "We understand every deviation from the tradition as primarily a breach of the norm, or, in short, a heresy."[xviii]
In 2001, Kirill stated that the West must realize their cultural norms are not shared by three-quarters of the world.[xix] This attitude represents the fears of Orthodox followers, who believe Western religion and culture threaten the traditional culture and religion of Russia. As William Yoder of the Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists of Russia described the religious perspective in Russia, "If you're Russian, you must be Orthodox. By the same equation, if you're Baptist, you must be American."[xx] Though Catholics may see Kirill's willingness to dialogue as a reason to hope for increased protection under the law, these deep set Russian prejudices are unlikely to melt away under a Patriarch who dislikes Western influence. [xxi]
Through the lens of faith and tradition, Patriarch Kirill strives to maintain international dialogue and continue the relative peace that exists between different branches of the Christian faith. Though relations between the two churches will always remain unstable, the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches share a goal of sharing the system of Christian values with the whole world. Based on his statements and actions regarding Catholics and other believers within Russia, however, it is reasonable to believe he will continue to restrict religious freedom in the country.
[i] "Russian Orthodox Church," http://countrystudies.us/russia/38.htm 1996.
[ii] Jim Heintz. "Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy dies at 79," The Washington Times, December 6, 2008.
[iii] "Interim Orthodox Leader picked after Alexy's death," The Christian Century. Vol. 126 No. 1, January 13, 2009.
[iv] Tony Halpin. "New Church leader may end rift with Rome," The Times (London, England). January 28, 2009, p. 36.
[v] Cindy Woodsen. "Russian Orthodox Church elects Metropolitan Kirill as new patriarch," Catholic News Service. January 27, 2009. www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900400.htm
[vi] Patriarch Kirill. "Address by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia after his enthronement at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior," February 1, 2009. http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=documents&div=138
[vii] "Pope Benedict XVI's Letter to Patriarch Kirill," Catholic Online. February 2, 2009.
[viii] "Kirill Urges Collaboration among Christians," Free Republic. February 13, 2009. www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2185563/posts
[ix] Cindy Woodsen. "Pope, Catholic leaders welcome election of new Russian patriarch," Catholic News Service. January 28, 2009. www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900412.htm
[x] Ibid.
[xi] Sophia Kishkovsky. "Russian Orthodox Church elects outspoken patriarch," The New York Times. January 28, 2009, p. A10.
[xii] Ibid.
[xiii] "Pope hails election of Metropolitan Kirill as Russian patriarch," RIA Novosti. January 28, 2009. En.rian.ru/world/20090128/119845701.html
[xiv] Jonathan Luxmoore. "Patriarch Kirill gives Russian minority churches cautious optimism," Ecumenical News International. February 11, 2009. http://www.anglicanjournal.com/world/europe/024/article/patriarch-kirill-gives-russian-minority-churches-cautious-optimism/?cHash=b2bbddc655
[xv] Woodsen.
[xvi] U.S. State Department. "Russia International Religious Freedom Report 2008," September 18, 2009. http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108468.htm
[xvii] Luxmoore.
[xviii] Kirill, 2001.
[xix] Kirill, 2001.
[xx] Susan Wunderink. "A Mending in Moscow?" Christianity Today. March 12, 2009. www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/april/6.16.html
