August 1, 2009

Russian Orthodox leader visits Ukraine


by Sara Levy

The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church has started a ten day pilgrimage in neighbouring Ukraine.

Patriarch Kirill was greeted by hundreds of supporters on arrival at Kiev airport before meeting Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine.

Kirill, who was elected to his role in February, will visit the holy sites in Kiev before travelling to the industrial heartlands of eastern Ukraine.

The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant denomination in Ukraine.

However, some Orthodox Church leaders have declared themselves independent of Moscow, citing the church’s subservience to the Kremlin.

Yushchenko, who leans towards the west more strongly than towards Russia, has given political support to the breakaway denomination.

Some Orthodox Christians in Ukraine believe the purpose of Kirill’s visit is to bridge the growing divide in the Orthodox Church and bring the rebel churches back under the authority of Moscow.

A number of protesters demonstrated outside the airport at the Patriarch’s arrival waving placards saying: “We serve to God, not the Kremlin,” and “Ukraine needs its own church.”

The Patriarch called for “unbreakable spiritual and church unity” between Ukraine and Russia.

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