One hundred
years ago Russian Orthodox refugees formed an ecclesiastic entity, later transformed
into the in the Western European Orthodox Archdiocese of the Russian tradition.
For decades, due to the political circumstances, the Archdiocese remained
separated from the Russian Church, until it has finally been re-united with the
Moscow Patriarchate.
On account
of the Archdiocese centennial, Patriarch Kirill sent his congratulation to its
Head Metropolitan John, clergy and laity:
- The
social upheavals that befell Russia in the early twentieth century forced
millions of our compatriots to seek refuge in other lands, including Western
Europe. In foreign lands, in toil and hardship, our people cherished the
Orthodox faith, drawing spiritual strength and consolation from it, knowing
that the hope that comes from experience of enduring tribulation is not ashamed
(Rom. 5:4).
Life in a
foreign culture encouraged Russians to take a fresh look at their fathers' rich
heritage and helped them to discover deep meanings in it that they had not
previously grasped. For example, one of the most striking spiritual and
cultural phenomena of those years in Europe was the Paris Theological School,
which influenced the minds of its contemporaries and the development of
Orthodox ecclesiology in general.
Witnessing
to the Western world the true beauty of the Eastern Christian tradition,
Russian diaspora created parish communities, built churches and established
theological schools, Orthodox fraternities and sororities... Over the past
century, the Archdiocese of Western Europe's parishes has undergone a difficult
journey. But the awareness of its responsibility for the preservation and development
of the Russian spiritual and cultural tradition remained the key to its
long-awaited reunion with the Mother Russian Church.
Source: Patriarchia.ru (Russian)