Inter-Communion

Question: 

As one who was baptised and chrismated in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, would I be permitted the sacraments, should I in my travels visit a Ukrainian Orthodox Church?  Beyond the matter of the calendar, I am sometimes confused as to with whom we are in communion.

Very Rev. Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org 

Most Orthodox Churches do not recognize the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia as part of the inter-communing family of Orthodoxy.  Notwithstanding the truly heartening recent progress in Orthodox reconciliation (of which the diaspora Ukrainian Orthodox Churches are grateful beneficiaries), I have the impression that this arm's length relationship is still mutual since most of these Churches celebrate their immovable feast days according to the modified Julian Calendar (meaning they coincide with the Gregorian Calendar).  This is considered to be a capitulation to modernism, and what is even worse (if I understand the ROCOR correctly) they are involved in the ecumenical movement in various degrees and ecumenism has been called "the pan-heresy" - meaning that it includes all heresies.

Nonetheless most priests in these Churches would not refuse Communion to any faithful of the ROCOR (I do hope this abbreviation does not offend?) since we would generally recognize its Sacraments (and again, I believe, this mutual recognition is usually reciprocal).  I certainly would not, and I have consulted with our Bishops on this matter in the past.

What is more to the point, since you seem to be a member in good standing of the ROCOR, what does *your* pastor say to this?  It would be best to discuss it with him in the interests of remaining in the pale of your communion. 

Since Orthodoxy is not a centralized body as is the Church of Rome, relying upon mutual recognition and intercommunion of hierarchs, the matter can sometimes be quite confusing.  This vulnerability and fragility need not be seen as a hindrance to our spiritual life.  They mirror the situation of the world in which we live, in which we are always called upon to exercise the maximum of good will, love and forgiveness.  There are no tried and true formulas to be always right on track - only the conviction that He who calls us is faithful and will never abandon us.  And He always brings good out of everything. 

Ultimately the unity His Church already has by its very nature as His Body will be manifest to all.  For now we must be patient and if we must err (as it seems we must) I think it is much better to err on the side of kindness than on the side of severity.

Incidentally I have been received with great warmth and hospitality many times by the brothers of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville and derived much benefit and encouragement from my visits.  But knowing what I do about the reticence I have mentioned I did not seek to receive Holy Communion nor was it offered.   I was not hurt or offended, and neither, I trust, were the good brothers who received me with much love and humility.

Ukrainian Orthodoxy