Statements of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the possibility of split in Orthodoxy through recognition of the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine resemble the threats of Russian President Vladimir Putin with nuclear weapons. Such a commentary made by Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine was posted on his Facebook page.
Statements of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the possibility of split in Orthodoxy through recognition of the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine resemble the threats of Russian President Vladimir Putin with nuclear weapons. Such a commentary made by Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine was posted on his Facebook page.
“The threats of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of the ROC concerning the possibility of a “great schism” in Orthodoxy concerning the recognition of the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine are reminiscent of Putin's threats with nuclear weapons. They are both a sign of weakness. For, for example, the USSR did not threaten nuclear weapons, because it had a powerful force. And when there is no real force – then they try to scare with threats.
If the split happens, only the ROC will find itself in schism, and only for a while.
It should be understood that such statements are a sign of despair and impotence. In Moscow, it has already become clear that recognition of the autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine is inevitable. And their threats will not prevent it.»
As reported, Metropolitan Hilarion of the ROC stated that if the UOC gets autocephaly, the schism in universal Orthodoxy will be comparable to the Great Schism of 1054.