List of issues > Series «Political Science and Religion Studies». 2022. Vol 40
Inter-Orthodox Relations: Communion of the Russian Church
and Church of Greecein 1991-2008 (Based on Materials from
the Archive of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece)
Author(s)
E. Victoratos, A. Iliopoulou
Abstract
The article analyzes the communion between the Russian Church and the Church of Greece
during the important historical period of Patriarch Alexy II in 1991-2008 based on the archive of the
Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. The archive of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, unknown
to most researchers, is a valuable source of church history of the Modern Greek state and contains
unique information that is difficult to find in other archives, which have been lost or destroyed. The
period considered is of paramount importance both due to the revival of Christianity in Russia, and
because of the new era in relations between the Russian Church and local Orthodox churches, and
specifically the Church of Greece as discussed in the article, after the "dark" period. After 1991, the
Russian Church faced a challenging task of forming and reforming its internal part and activities in all
structures and layers of society. The Church of Greece, in turn, as a sister Church, when needed, without
hesitation, provided spiritual and material support in this difficult mission of the Russian Church.
The written correspondence of the Russian Church and Church of Greece is analyzed in order to form
a picture of the life and activity of the Russian Church and the development of relations between the
two churches during this period. The article reports on the glorious past of the Russian Church, on the
long-lasting relationship of love, solidarity, and spiritual interpenetration with the Church of Greece,
on their favorable spiritual prospects and activities aimed at revival. In conclusion, the strength of the
bonds of the two churches, as well as their centuries-old coexistence are confirmed.
About the Authors
Victoratos Efstathios, Rector, Church of the Holy Trinity (Russian Church), 21, Philellinon st., Athens, 10557,Greece, e-mail: stathisvictor@yahoo.gr
Iliopoulou Areti, Researcher, Department of Comparative, Political Science, RUDN University, 6, Miklukho-Maklaya st., Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation, e-mail: areti.iliopoulou@hotmail.gr
For citation
Victoratos E., Iliopoulou A. Inter-Orthodox Relations: Communion of the Russian Church and Church of Greece in 1991–2008 (Based on Materials from the Archive of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece) . The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2022, vol. 40, pp. 84-92. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2022.40.84 (in Russian)
Keywords
Russian Church, Church of Greece, communion, archive, Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, Patriarch Alexy ΙΙ, Inter-orthodox relations.
UDC
930.85.+2-32
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2022.40.84
References
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