Relationship between ROCOR and OCA

[fuerein]

I'm curious if anyone understands the seemingly complicated relations between the Russian-heritage churches and can explain it to me. I know ROCOR recently re-entered communion with Moscow. I also know OCA was given Autocephalacy <sp?> by Moscow. What exactly is the relationship between ROCOR and Moscow? Is ROCOR viewed to be an Autonomous church under the Patriarch of Moscow now?

Further, when Moscow granted Autocephalacy to the OCA, didn't they essently grant the OCA the jurisdiction of all historically Russian Patriarch churches in the US to the OCA, so how does that now relate between ROCOR and OCA now that ROCOR is back in communion with Moscow?

Yes, I know this topic is complicated, but I'm just curious if anyone could explain the current situation in light of the reconciliation between ROCOR and Moscow.

 

[buzuxi02]

You raise a good question, The history between the OCA and ROCOR depends on whether you accept the OCA 's version or ROCOR's version of history.

Within the OCA theres those that love the ROCOR and those that hate them, i would imagine similar feelings persist on the ROCOR side.

I too would like to see a knowledgeable member of ROCOR explain St Tikhon's ukase, that would clear up alot.

As far as the MP, OCA, ROCOR, thats a jurisdictional mess. The OCA was granted autocephaly, yet the MP still has american parishes, at the same time many of them are quite ethnic so you would think the MP would hand them over to ROCOR. Politics would dictate things will remain as they are.

 

[Padraig]

The OCA and ROCOR are in full communion. The Holy Synod of the OCA announced at their last meeting full concelebration. Hope this helps.

Dn Kevin

 

[Sokol]

The OCA and ROCOR are in full communion. The Holy Synod of the OCA announced at their last meeting full concelebration. Hope this helps.

Dn Kevin

I knew the MP and the ROCOR reconciled but I was unaware of the OCA situation. Let us rejoice and be glad

Could you provide any documentation?

 

[Nickolai]

The general rundown is this

The OCA is an Autocephalous Church, meaning we govern ourselves, and can't really claim to be the "Russian Church in the US" anymore. We are the self governing Church in America, an American Church.

The MP and ROCOR (as of the union) are both under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, meaning they are the Russian Church in the US

As for relationship with each other. As Deacon Kevin said we are in full communion with each other, but i will add that there may still be some complications. To answer bluntly, There are still those Churches in both Jurisdictions that get along well with each other and those that don't due to past grudges and what have you. And, from what I know, all the hierarchy are cordial with each other.

I know from my own experience that I had no problem communing at ROCOR parishes as a member, and tonsured Reader, in the OCA. I was even made to vest in a sticharion to commune at the Old Rite Church in Erie. And was given the blessing to vest by Bishop DANIEL (you know the one that was supposed to hate anyone non-ROCOR. Shows what a load of bull those rumors were). I also know that during the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement meeting that happened at Jordanville last spring, every layperson was allowed to commune no matter the jurisdiction, and they were all represented.

But I also know of people that were not allowed to commune in certain hardline ROCOR parishes, but I imagine that this has changed since the union.

Ummm.... not sure if I answered the question really, but there you go. lol

 

[Akathist]

At Holy Ascension at my OCA parish, we had the excitement of a visit from a ROCOR parish, a Priest and a Bishop from ROCOR to our services! We were very excited to be in full communion with them. Our Bishop over the Midwest was there too.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

As far as I understand, there will still be the 3 "jurisdictions" from the Russian tradition in the U.S. None will lose their "identity" so to speak, but all are in communion. Hopefully one day, as things develop, there will be one "Russian" jurisdiction; but that may not happen until there's one "American" church.

Mary

 

[fuerein]

Thanks all that replied. The explanations offered were kinda the impression I had received when I had looked at a site that gave a brief overview of the whole Russian church in the USA issue. I was just wondering if there was anything more official than the way those articles ended which was basically that the OCA and ROCOR back in communion after the ROCOR/MP reunion. Guess not. Thanks for the information though, was enlightening.

 

[Padraig]

I knew the MP and the ROCOR reconciled but I was unaware of the OCA situation. Let us rejoice and be glad

Could you provide any documentation?

From the report on the Holy Synod meeting of July 31st to August 1st:

REPORT ON THE RECONCILIATION OF ROCOR AND THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE. In response to a report by the Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky concerning the reconciliation, the hierarchs issued the following statement: "The Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America rejoice in the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate, and we embrace them as concelebrants in the Lord." It was further decided that Metropolitan Herman should send a letter to His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy of Moscow and All Rus, stating that the Holy Synod has informed the faithful of the OCA of the reconciliation and of our welcoming it.

Dn Kevin