International Orthodox Christian News

The day before, Rev. J.-A. de Clermont issued a statement where he regretted the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church to suspend their participation in work of CEC for the reason of the Central Committee's inability to consider a resolution seeking membership of CEC by the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. However, CEC earlier accepted the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC) under Constantinople jurisdiction into membership while the Orthodox world hasn't recognized the structure. CEC President stated that in compliance with the CEC position, before taking a decision on EOC membership in CEC, the Constantinople and Moscow Patriarchates had "to come to an agreement" on Estonian church question.

"He claims the CEC Central Committee concluded that the two Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow need to come to an agreement before the Central Committee can arrive to an acceptable to all parties solution on CEC membership for the Moscow Patriarchate Estonian Orthodox Church," Fr. Vsevolod said. Fr. Vsevolod further said, the CEC Central Committee did not subordinate the EOC membership to any new agreements between the two Patriarchates as it took "no decision at all" and the idea to defer EOC acceptance before coming to some new agreements "was voiced only by the CEC President and representatives of Constantinople while other members of the Central Committee were against any delays."

"The Moscow and the Constantinople Patriarchates reached an agreement long ago. The Patriarchates concluded that the two church jurisdictions can co-exist even though they don't accept each others full titles and the status each jurisdiction takes for its own," the priest stated.

According to him, since the so-called Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church joined CEC a year ago, the situation hasn't changed dramatically and "it is absolutely unclear why Mr. Clermont didn't demand a solution acceptable for all parties in the same situation before accepting EAOC while today he seeks such a solution." "Isn't it a double standard? The position cited by Mr. de Clermont in his statement is not one of the Central Committee, it's his personal stand and there is every reason to upbraid him for his insincerity," the interviewee of the agency stressed. He reminded that J.-A. de Clermont considered the Estonian Orthodox Church membership in CEC possible when he met with Patriarch Alexy II in Moscow on September 30, 2008. Besides, when visiting Tallinn as a member of the delegation, he agreed with recommendation of the CEC General Secretary to accept the EOC at least on a time basis.

Today, Fr. Vsevolod went on to say, the CEC President claims the solution may be taken only if it is convenient to Constantinople. In fact, this is what he insisted on during the last session of the CEC Central Committee. "I deeply regret, but I have to accuse this man of his insincerity, one-sided approach, double standards and violation not only CEC Constitution as it requires the Church applicant only to fit its detailed criteria for membership, but principles of Christian morals as well. In fact, Mr. de Clermont deceived His Holiness the Patriarch and now assigns to the Central Committee the position it has never expressed," the priest said. "He is deeply dishonest in his actions. I don't know how to conduct a dialogue with a person who says one thing today and does the opposite tomorrow," the Moscow Patriarchate representative said.

Source:

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