2020-11-17

GRACIAS AL METROPOLITA ONOFRE Y AL PATRIARCA CIRILO No habrá cisma entre las iglesias ucrania y de Rusia

 

“THE STRENGTH OF UKRAINE IS IN ITS ORTHODOX FAITH”

A Talk with Abbess Seraphima (Shevchik) for the 30th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

    

2020 is a jubilee year for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: Thirty years ago, in late October 1990, Patriarch Alexiy II signed a gramota granting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent status with broad rights of autonomy. Since then, the canonical Church in Ukraine has faced all sorts of trials, including a bloody schism and open persecution from the powers that be.

Our conversation with Abbess Seraphim (Shevchik), a member of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church and head of the Ukrainian Church’s Synodal Church and Culture Department, concerns this difficult, sometimes dramatic period. Mother Seraphima is the author of more than twenty books and monographs dedicated to the life of the UOC and the history of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, the organizer and director of the Orthodox Ukraine and Christian Odessa museums, and numerous exhibitions and conferences, the latest of which was dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Thirty years ago…

The gramota of His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II granting independent governance to the Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchThe gramota of His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II granting independent governance to the Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchBefore our conversation with Matushka Seraphima, we would like to remind our dear readers of some historical and political fragments of that distant period that preceded Patriarch Alexiy II’s granting of the gramota, or as it is called now, the tomos, granting independence and self-governance to the UOC.

In late 1989, after Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to the Vatican at the request of Pope John Paul II (1978-2005), the first Polish-born pontiff, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church, which cooperated with the German occupiers during the war and ceased to exist in the USSR in 1946, was reanimated. A wave of seizures of Orthodox churches and cathedrals swept throughout western Ukraine; Orthodox clergy and their families were driven out of Church rectories onto the streets and were subject to violence and persecution.

In February 1990, Archbishop Makary (Svistun; † 2007) of Ivano-Frankivsk locked himself up in Holy Resurrection Cathedral in protest of the raiding by the Greek Catholics and declared an indefinite hunger strike, which caused a mixed reaction in the Council for Religious Affairs of the USSR—Vladyka was removed from the cathedra by decree of Philaret Denisenko, at that time a lawful hierarch of the UOC.

Metropolitan Makary (Svistun)Metropolitan Makary (Svistun)Also in 1989, the Council for Religious Affairs of the USSR registered the “Ukrainian Autocephalous Church of the Kiev Patriarchate,” which emerged in Ukraine in the early twentieth century, born in the scum of the revolutionary upheavals of 1919-20 and popularly known as the “self-consecrators—Lipkivskyites” (after the name of the leader of the Ukrainian schism Vasily LIpkivsky)—supported by the Bolsheviks to weaken the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and which ceased to exist in the USSR in 1937.

Among the activists of the Ukrainian schismatics was the future “Patriarch” of the UAOC Mstislav (Skrypnyk, 1898-1993), then still the layman Stepan Ivanovich Skrypnyk who was the nephew of Simon Petliura and served in the latter’s Ukrainian National Republic troops as a personal adjutant, who was “ordained” in 1942 during the nazi occupation, and fled to Canada and American after the war.

On June 5, 1990, at the 1st Council of the UAOC in Kiev, Mstislav was elected the “Patriarch of Kiev and All Ukraine,” and in October of the same year, he returned to Ukraine and visited Kiev and Lvov. On November 18, 1990, with the kind permission of the authorities, he was “enthroned” in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev. Mstislav became the first “Patriarch of the UAOC.” After the fall of the USSR in 1991, he arrived in Kiev from the U.S. again in July 1992, and by order of the first president of Ukraine, he was generously provided with the former sanatorium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine in Puscha-Voditsa, near Kiev, where Mstislav met with Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk on July 2.

Mstislav SkripnikMstislav SkripnikAdditionally, public national-patriotic movements became active in Ukraine, the radical representatives of which waged an open campaign against the Ukrainian Exarchate of the ROC, and after the exarchate was granted independence—against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In 1992, Ukrainian Orthodoxy suffered a new calamity in the person of the schismatic Philaret Denisenko, a formerly lawful hierarch who was the exarch of the Ukrainian Exarchate of the ROC for many years. Accepting the gramota of independence and self-governance from the hand of His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II, Philaret hoped to achieve full autocephaly in the future, with the title of “Patriarch of All Ukraine.”

Fulfilling the duties of Locum Tenens after the death of Patriarch Pimen († 5/30/1990), he could not bear defeat in the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia at the Local Council of the ROC in June 1990. The author of these lines, then working in the Metropolia of the UOC as editor of an Orthodox newspaper, witnessed how the klobuk of the Patriarch of Moscow was sewn for Philaret and how containers full of his things were prepared for moving to Moscow. But the future schismatic suffered a crushing defeat in the Patriarchal election, receiving only 66 votes in the election held at Danilov Monastery in Moscow, against 139 for the future Patriarch Alexiy (Ridiger), and 107 for Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan), the future primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Leader of the Ukrainian schismatics, the former Metropolitan Philaret DenisenkoLeader of the Ukrainian schismatics, the former Metropolitan Philaret Denisenko    

As we can see, even on the eve of gaining independence and self-governance, and in the subsequent period of its activity, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has born the cross of great trials.

The people of God united around their hierarchs”

We found Mother Seraphima in her office at the Odessa Archangel Michael Convent, which she has led for twenty-five years now.

She was negotiating the selection of exhibits for the next exhibition just then. Having finished her conversation, despite being so busy, she kindly agreed to speak with some Kiev journalists.

***

Despite being so busy, Mother kindly answered our questionsDespite being so busy, Mother kindly answered our questions    

Mother Seraphima, recalling the events of thirty years ago, tell us: How do you think the Ukrainian Orthodox Church today evaluates its reception of independence in 1990? After all, you were a novice at the famous Kiev Holy Protection Convent then, founded by St. Anastasia—the Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna Romanov, and which was among the monasteries of Ukraine that protested against the dictatorship of Philaret.

—All of us, the children of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, are clearly convinced today of how right a step it was for the Holy Synod of the ROC and His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II to grant the UOC the status of independence and self-governance in 1990. We can confidently say now that this historical act took place by the ineffable providence of God; that is, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has taken its rightful place in the Orthodox world and is truly autonomous, independent, self-governing, and unique in its structure. I think not even all the Local Churches that were granted autocephaly by Constantinople possess the same scope of rights as the UOC.

But now we have a new trial: the interference of the Patriarch of Constantinople in the life of the UOC—a new schism, now with the participation of the hierarchs of Istanbul.

—These non-canonical and immoral actions of Constantinople have caused pain in the family of the Orthodox Churches. As you know, many of them have showed unanimity with our Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They recognize His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry as the sole lawful primate of the UOC and the majority are opposed to the politics of Istanbul.

Matushka, let’s go back to the swashbuckling 1990s.

—Yes… Our Church received an impetus towards independent development, but from the very first days of the early 1990s, it found itself in the extremely difficult conditions of all kinds of provocations from the former Metropolitan Philaret and from the authorities, who strongly supported the schismatics.

Philaret wanted to become Patriarch of Ukraine any way he could, and he went to every length to achieve his goal: He deposed dissenting bishops and committed many unseemly deeds. But the healthy forces of the Church united and cured this disease. This is the value of the process of Church recovery and self-purification.

Despite internal vicissitudes, the actions of schismatics, and political attacks, life itself has testified that the canonical Church has a healthy core that the gates of hell cannot overcome (cf. Mt. 16:18). The people of God are united around their hierarchs, including Metropolitan Onuphry, Vladyka Agafangel, Vladyka Alypy, and others. An historical Bishops’ Council of the UOC was held in Kharkov in May 1992, which gave a canonical evaluation of Philaret’s actions, elected a new legitimate primate—His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan, † 7/05/2014), and placed a limit on the Church turmoil and unrest. In fact, the Church had reached a new historical milestone, passing through the fiery trial of schism and persecution.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) led the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from 1992 to 2014His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) led the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from 1992 to 2014However, the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] issued a resolution on the illegality of the Kharkov Council, so the authorities at that time supported Philaret. Even the Bolsheviks didn’t do that. You had your obedience then in Holy Protection Monastery and witnessed these events. As far as we know, not a single monastery in Ukraine supported the schism. Do you remember how the sisters and you personally reacted?

—Monasticism showed its strength then and gave a weighty word. For example, the monks of Holy Dormition Monastery in Odessa sent a letter to His Holiness Patriarch Alexiy II in which they categorically rejected Philaret’s idea of autocephaly and expressed unity with the Moscow Patriarchate. Other monasteries did the same, unanimously expressing unity with the Mother Church.

If we recall Holy Protection Monastery at that time, Matushka Margarita (Zyukina, † 2005)—her memorial falls right on November 10—our blessed eldress and abbess, was very worried and increased her prayers together with all the sisters. This conciliar prayer of the monastics, bishops, and laity gave a way out of the intolerable situation created in the Church by Philaret’s ambitions and authoritarian actions.

And when Metropolitan Vladimir arrived in Ukraine, I think you could say it was a national assembly: Representatives from every diocese in Ukraine and a crowd of thousands of lay people came to meet Vladyka, blocking all the streets by the station; and there was a grand procession from the station to the Lavra. Then the primates of every, I emphasize every, Local Church in the world sent written greetings to the newly-elected primate of the UOC Metropolitan Vladimir, thereby confirming that world Orthodoxy recognizes only our Church as lawful in Ukraine, as part of the Russian Orthodox Mother Church.

The Church has endured and still endures great trials coming from the political elite of the country, various parties, and radical nationalist forces’ interference in its life.

—Absolutely true. Let’s recall at least 2008, when President Viktor Yushchenko invited Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine without informing Metropolitan Vladimir. And he came, knowing that it violates the canons of the Church, which state that a hierarch of any Church cannot visit the territory of another Church without an invitation [from the local first hierarch]. But Patriarch Bartholomew came to Ukraine anyways, positioning himself as the rightful hierarch of this land, and he met with President Yushchenko. He received attention at the highest level of government. Already then, without the participation of the UOC, the presidential administration was holding separate negotiations on autocephaly, about giving the “Kiev Patriarchate” the status of legality, of creating an Istanbul dependency in Kiev, and so on. Oh, but what a reaction from the faithful to the visit of the guest from Istanbul!...

Viktor Yushchenko welcomes Patriarch Bartholomew, 2008Viktor Yushchenko welcomes Patriarch Bartholomew, 2008    

Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Alexiy met on Vladimir Hill on the day of 1,020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’. The people of God, who crowded the slopes of the park around the hill, received the guest from Constantinople coldly, but joyfully applauded His Holiness [Patriarch Alexiy]. I was standing not far away and could see how Patriarch Bartholomew bowed his head low and was looking at the ground. And when the people started chanting: “Our Patriarch is Alexiy!” he winced, lowered his head, and hunched his shoulders. Then the state project failed. Yushchenko himself left the Divine Liturgy after the first exclamation, so affected was he by the shouts of the people and the absolutely clear expression of the position of the many thousands of the flock of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Yushchenko was as if carried away from the square…

And one other detail: Our Church didn’t participate when the protocol for Patriarch Bartholomew to serve in St. Sophia Cathedral for the 1,020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus’ was drawn up, by no fault of our own—we were simply cut out, and Yushchenko demanded that Philaret serve with Bartholomew. But Bartholomew was forced to reject this scenario, shamefacedly explaining to Yushchenko that the schismatic Philaret had no right to serve with him. So Yushchenko asked that Philaret at least be allowed to stand nearby and pray, either in the altar, or at least in the church. This was also refused. Bartholomew understood then that this step could mean his condemnation by the whole of world Orthodoxy. So the service in St. Sophia was held without the head of the “Kiev Patriarchate,” but with His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir. On July 27, 2008, there was a service on Vladimir Hill, with the participation of Patriarch Alexiy II, Patriarch Bartholomew, His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir, and the primates and representatives of all the Orthodox Churches of the world. The Lord did not allow the schismatics to participate.

Part 2. Which is Our True Mother Church, and Who is our True Father?

Deacon Sergei Geruk
spoke with Abbess Seraphima (Shevchik)
Translation by Jesse Dominick

Pravoslavie.ru

11/16/2020

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2020-11-16

HUGO WAST












 



     HUGO WAST VOCACIÓN DE ESCRITOR

 

Los dos tomos han aparecido en el arca de los recuerdos. Estos libros los compré yo en Comillas según declara la data y pertenecía a Antonio Parra Galindo" Comillas 4 de marzo de 1960. es una declaración de intenciones de lo que sería mi verdadera vocación en la cual perseveré durante sesenta años sin demasiada fortuna. Estos dos libritos en rustica han sobrevivido a los avatares de mi vida y a mis muchos traslados en Madrid,. Londres, Nueva York, Segovia. Constituyen un presagio y un vademécum para marcar ruta en mi trajín vital

 Sin embargo, mirando hacia atrás, con orgullo y sin ánimo de la vindicta que me corroe puedo afirmar que el objetivo se ha consumado con eficacia.

Encontré mi estilo y mi forma de decir que es diferente al de cualquiera. Todos mis escritos poseen un sello una vitola marca de la casa. Era mi profesor de literatura el padre  Eguillo esos que van por la vida con la presuntuosidad de ser vascos hijos espirituales ese caballero andante mal encarado que era san Ignacio ruede la bola. La barquilla mía se estrelló contra los arrecifes pero no naufragó al estrellarse contra los recifes de Oyambre.

 Allí estaba sellado mi destino de grandeza libertad e incomprensión. Hugo Wast es un escritor mediocre argentino pero que maneja el baculo de la profecía y anunciando la caída de algunas manzanas.

Una de ellas ha sido la iglesia católica se adelantó a su compatriota el papa Francisco alias Pancho Culomagno el gran impostor en la novela 666. habla de las dificultades de la creación. Lo mas difícil de la creación literaria no es la creación ni la impresión. Es la difusión.

No recomienda a los autores que regalen jamás un libro. Uno se topa con el menosprecio y ese cerco de silencio que cataloga a los literatos como gente rara y fuera de lo normal.

Uno de los mayores placeres que puede haber en la vida para la gente que escribe es recibir el paquete con su primera novela. Él dio a la estampa su "Alegre" un relato de aventuras que hoy se nos indigesta en la Editorial Aldecoa una casa que sigue funcionando hoy en Burgos bajo el nombre de Hijos de Santiago Rodríguez.

Emoción y tristeza me ha causado sumergirme en las paginas de Vocación de Escritor, uno sigue vivo y en la edad provecta como en la adolescencia dándole a la tecla para derribar molinos de viento y liberar doncellas de las garras de los sátiros (difícil tarea) pero yo tengo mucho de caballero andante que cabalga a su aire. Bendito sea Dios y que Dios tenga en su reino a Martínez de Zubiría que era como se llamaba este cristiano que lanzó a la calle un centenar de tomos bajo el pseudónimo de Hugo Wast

DIVAGACIONES AL PIE DE LA CRUZ

TODO EN EL AIRE

Vide venir la catástrofe

Rapto de Europa

Tronos y altares

Hechos astillas

Esterilidad de las contiendas

El ronroneo incesante

De las tertulias

La cabeza rodante

De Pedro Sánchez

El coño de doña Carmen

Un coñazo de tía

Y el clitoris de la ministrilla adlatere

Pasando revista a las tropas

Rompan filas

Sois soldados sólo para poner inyecciones

La defensa de la patria

Queda derogada

Se cumplieron vaticinios

Murieron los sacristanes

Y en Caldas de Besaya

Un convento vacío

Domini canes

¿Do moráis los perros guardianes?

De la iglesia

Iras y venganzas semitas

 Cuervo negro anidando en la peluca

De Voltaire

Nos domina una academia bizantina

De sopistas, legistas, rábulas

Y leguleyos

Bastión de la apostasía

Incoercible verborrea vaticanista

El papa se ha meado en la sotana

Lleva una sinagoga en la barriga

Peligro, ojo,

Conjugándose con la cimitarra agarena

Hoy me duele la querida Ar,enia derotada

En Nagorno Karabach

Sonrisas burlonas

Concursos en la tele

Bazofia a calderadas

Tiempos vulgares

Cierran los templos

Queman librerías

Estragos violaciones

Un obispo borracho derrota por las tabernas

 

La gran carnicería

El carnicero de Albacete

Degolló a una monja a machetazos

Luce aun brillante sobre su sepultura

El ostensorio de un mártir

Cuelga en la rama

De correr el gallo

Se ha promulgado el exterminio

Como en tiempos amalecitas

Muerte de España

Dios deja hundirse a las naciones

Nadie conoce sus designios

Y hablaban de la ciudad de Dios

Y ahí está Torras Chorras el narigudo

Un nuevo Anás, energúmeno del sanedrín en tiempo de pasión

Todos escupen sobre la tumba de Xto

No quieren ser católicos

Hay proclamas de abrenuncio

En las radios

Atronando en los oídos

Ángel de la ira, reprime tus ímpetus

Pero yo no quiero ver más pileos

Ni tanto gorro frigio

Ni tanta prostituta que se dice periodista

Prefiero a los escitas merovingios

De cabellos largos

Somos un pueblo idiotizado

Prosternados ante el ídolo Panopticón

Soberbia satánica

Proclamas solidarias

Un nuevo bolchevismo

Obstinadas rebeldías de la Bestia

Versos antipastos

Mirada enjuta del calabrés

Ojos de trabuco

Suena el clavicordio

Alguien ensaya arpegios en un violón

Toda esta carne de cañón

Humanidad hecha gallofa

Bandoleros catalanes

Un juego de tablas y tejos

Eso es la política

Me ciño mi orillo

A mí plin, paseo gorro bisunto, por la solana miro para el santo que tiene luz de Dios en la cabeza

No soltaré labra sin haberla antes pensado

Nada de arrobos ni profecías

Prudencia exquisita

Y oración mental

Persecuciones y trabajos

Ese fue mi sino

Hay que aguantar el ancla

Golpear el yunque

Con la maza