Russian Orthodox Church severs relations with Patriarchate of Constantinople

SANAA, Oct. 17 (YPA) – The Russian Orthodox Church decided to sever all relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul in protest at its acceptance of Ukraine’s request to establish an independent church.

“The Holy Synod left no choice but to sever relations with the patriarchate in Istanbul, the seat of the world spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians,” Archbishop Elarion was quoted as saying by Sky News after a meeting of the ruling council of the Russian Church in Belarus.

The Russian Orthodox Church described it as the largest Christian schism in 1,000 years.