Why the Orthodox Church Was Divided

The Russian Orthodox Church has severed ties with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in protest of adopting Ukraine's request for a church “aucere” or independent. But why this decision?

First because it's part of the Russia-Ukrainian conflict. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church intensified its independence efforts in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.

In the second place, it's become personal. Ukrainian President Petro Porosenko says that the church's independence is a Ukrainian president, Petro Porosenko, says that Church independence is a matter of national security.

In the third place, there may be war on church property. President Poroshenko accuses the Kremlin of trying to launch a religious war and has warned that Russian agents may try to capture church property.

In the fourth row, millions are affected. 150 million Russian Church followers make Russia a leader in the Orthodox world. But Constantinople has traditionally been the pre-x0> between the equals” and is now supporting the creation of a new Kiev-based Orthodox Church.

In the fifth row, tensions can spread in the Balkans. The separation of churches is a difficult issue for Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe, and their leaders will have to choose one arm.Top Channel