#9
BBC Monitoring
Senior Russian clergyman reveals views on Orthodox
Christmas and other matters
Source: Radio Mayak, Moscow, in Russian 0805 gmt 5 Jan 02
[Presenter]... On the eve of Orthodox Christmas our studio guest today [5 January] Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and the head of the public relations department of the Moscow Patriarchy, Metropolitan Kiril...
Are you not concerned that the festive start-of-the-year season in Russia goes on for a fortnight? Of course, it is great to have two weeks to relax, and these holidays are very spiritual and noble and it's good to celebrate them. But on the other hand, this means being idle and not working. Are you not worried about this aspect?
[Kiril] This has nothing to do with the Church. I can give you another example - we have exactgloy the same situation in the month of May: people keep celebrating for half a month [May Day and Victory Day]. This has nothing to do with the Church calendar.
[Presenter] However, perhaps, this is not Russia's best tradition - to celebrate long holidays, especially now that we are amidst so many problems. Now a question from our listener.
[Unidentified listener] I have a question to Metropolitan Kiril. You represent Smolensk Region, which is my mother's native town, and Kaliningrad Region which is an enclave. The fifth column and all these losers in our country are constantly stirring the issue of passing the westernmost region on to a third party. There is a similar situation in the USA with Alaska but they do not have such questions. What do you think the Church can do in this direction to put an end to all these political gambling regarding Kaliningrad Region?
[Kiril] My answer will be quite harsh. As long as the Orthodox Church is out there in Kaliningrad Region, the region will always belong to Russia. This is not a mere statement, not just words. In order to reinforce this truth we have decided to build a majestic Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in the centre of the city. Construction is in full swing right now.
You know, there was a certain problem. In the past the centre of Kaliningrad was used for rallies and parades. There was a monument to Lenin and a rostrum, of course. When we made our decision - when I say we I mean the public, not just the Church - to build the cathedral in the city centre, some people began to say that this was not a suitable site. It would be better to build a cathedral in the park, they said.
A public opinion poll was carried out. And can you imagine, most of the people were in favour of having the cathedral built in the city centre as a symbol of Russia, as a symbol of our link with Russia...
[Presenter] We have a question from listener Ihor from Kiev. He would like to hear your position on the Russian Church in Ukraine and whether it will become autocephalous. Is it possible that the Patriarch will visit Kiev? Ihor is praying for the unity of all Russia and the Russian Church.
[Kiril] Of course, the Patriarch can visit Kiev and other places in Ukraine. Ukraine is part of the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian congregation is the Patriarch's flock. Therefore, this is not a foreign visit for the Patriarch, it is just a visit to see his own people, and therefore, such visits are likely, and I think that the Patriarch will find an opportunity to pay such a visit in the near future.
[Presenter] Are there any political obstacles to this visit?
[Kiril] None at all. President Kuchma has repeatedly invited the Patriarch. Governors of various Ukrainian regions have invited the Patriarch. Relations are very benevolent and friendly everywhere, with the exception of Western Ukraine where, as you know, there are strong anti-Russian sentiments and anti-Orthodox sentiments. But this is another conversation.
As far as the autocephalous church is concerned, the overwhelming majority of the Orthodox Christians in Ukraine are now very much against the autocephalous church. This is their choice. We cannot impose anything on them - in the same way as no-one can impose sovereignty on a state if the state wishes to live in a union with other states. It is equally impossible to impose the opposite.
We proceed from the idea that the Orthodox Christians in Ukraine should decide the future of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, together with their clergy, with their hierarchy. If these people tell us that they want an autocephalous church, let them have it with God's blessings.
But these people are saying today that they have no such desire because the only strong tie uniting Russia and Ukraine at present is the united church. As long as we have one church, we have one life and one soul...
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