Met. John of Dubna: it’s yet impossible to concelebrate with Phanar clerics

Metropolitan John (Renetto) of Dubna. Photo: seminaria.fr

Metropolitan John (Renneto), Head of the Archdiocese of the Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe, reminded the clergy of the break in the Eucharistic communication between the Phanar and the Russian Orthodox Church, which the former Exarchate of the Constantinople Patriarchate joined in 2019, reports orthodoxie.com.

In his message to the celebrants, the hierarch emphasized that the agreement with the Russian Orthodox Church ensured the survival, continuity and canonical existence of the Archdiocese.

"We can only express our deep gratitude to the Patriarchate of Moscow for this approach. You too, dear fathers, are warmly thanked for your loyalty and your support for your Archbishop and our diocese. It is now up to all of us to secure the future," the Metropolitan of Dubna wrote.

He noted that all current issues would be considered more particularly at the next pastoral assembly, but "as we enter into the Great Lent and journey towards Orthodoxy Sunday”, he has to recall the painful issue of Eucharistic communication and concelebrations.

The Metropolitan confirmed what was said at the General Assembly on January 25: there is no obstacle to Eucharistic communion in canonical parishes for the laity; however, for the clergy (priests and deacons) it is not yet possible for them to concelebrate the divine liturgy if it is presided over by a clerk belonging to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

" This obstacle only concerns the sacrament of the Eucharist; there is no difficulty for the other celebrations," he added, calling on the flock and believers to pray ardently " that the Lord will grant His Church to quickly overcome all the causes of the tribulation which deeply troubles our local Orthodoxy and more generally the pleroma of Orthodoxy in the world”.

As reported earlier, on March 1, 2020, Metropolitan John of (Renneto) Dubna reordained a clergyman of the OCU.

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