Patr. Kirill Criticizes Claims of Constantinople’s Special Authority in Global Orthodoxy

Patr. Kirill of Moscow speaks at a recent event, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at left. Photo: Orthodox Times

MOSCOW — Patr. Kirill of Moscow has sharply criticized what he described as efforts to portray Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as holding special authority over the entire Orthodox world, calling such claims a violation of church law and foreign to Orthodox ecclesiology. This was reported by the Russian outlet TASS and the Orthodox Times, which is based in Athens.

Speaking during an official Paschal reception at the Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Patr. Kirill said that attempts to elevate one patriarch above the others within the Orthodox Church undermine the canonical order of the Church. These remarks were made while standing next to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“Any attempts to present one of our brothers as having special authority over the entire Orthodox oikumene are sinful from the point of view of violating church laws,” Patr. Kirill stated.

He added that inter-Orthodox relations are currently being tested by pressures to accept what he called “a doctrine alien to Orthodoxy” regarding the special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

According to Kirill, this understanding has served as the basis for the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s intervention in the ecclesiastical affairs of Ukraine, contributing to what he described as a prolonged crisis in inter-Orthodox relations. He also referenced what he called discrimination against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) under Metr. Onuphry, claiming that pressure from Ukrainian authorities has reached the level of “open religious persecution.”

The Patriarch further said that pressure is mounting on Moscow Patriarchate structures in the Baltic states and Moldova, citing Estonia in particular as a place where the Church’s future is under threat due to "legislation that intensifies discrimination." He also mentioned challenges facing Orthodox Christians in Syria and Nigeria due to violence and extremist activity.

The remarks come amid renewed criticism of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from Russian state institutions. In late March, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Patr. Bartholomew of continuing a “schismatic” course in world Orthodoxy and alleged plans to interfere in the internal affairs of the Georgian Orthodox Church. This came after another statement earlier this year, when the SVR referred to the Ecumenical Patriarch as "antichrist in a cassock."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who attended the event alongside Patr. Kirill, praised the Russian Orthodox Church’s role in preserving national unity and highlighted close cooperation between Church and state, particularly through what he described as “church diplomacy.” The event also marked the 80th anniversary of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Previously, the UOJ reported that UN experts had raised concern over measures targeting the Estonian Orthodox Church.

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