Patriarchs Quarrel over Estonia

Russian patriarch Alexi II suspended relations with Constantinople’s patriarch Bartholomew I in February. The move came after Bartholomew announced that the Orthodox church in Estonia would be autonomous and under his supervision rather than that of the Moscow-based church.

The Estonian Orthodox church, with only 84 congregations, had been overseen by the Russian patriarchate since the Soviet Union annexed the country in 1940. Bartholomew is the ecumenical patriarch of the church, based in Istanbul.

But while he may have traditional primacy, Bartholomew governs comparatively few adherents. Islam is the dominant religion in his local jurisdiction.

Alexi, though, controls a church of 100 million, half of all Eastern Orthodoxy. For the first time in its 1,008-year history, the Russian Orthodox church on February 23 omitted Eucharistic prayers for the patriarch of Constantinople.

While the controversy has not ignited into a full schism, it may if Orthodox national churches around the world take sides.

Copyright © 1996 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

1996 Christianity Today Book Awards

When Crowds Gather, 'No Greater Love' Is There

CIA Use of Missionaries Revisited

RCA Pastor Refuses to Repent

Prepacked Communion Takes Off

Politics and Pulpit A Real Confession

Deposed Bishop Invents Online Diocese

Graham Son Subs for Dad Down Under

Anglican Province Created

CHARLES COLSON: Christian v. America

'The Right to Parent': Should It Be Fundamental?

Graham Reaches Largest Television Audience

Jury Still Out on Homosexual Ordination

Muslim-Christian Conflicts May Destabilize East Africa

Stanley's Wife Halts Divorce Plans

News

News Briefs: April 29, 1996

Where Is the Christian Men's Movement Headed?

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from April 29, 1996

ARTICLE: Politics and Religion Do Mix

ARTICLE: Rehearsing Forgiveness

ARTICLE: The Jesus Seminar Unmasked

ARTICLE: The Case for Christian Kitsch

ARTICLE: Saint John Wayne and the Dragon

ARTICLE: Why Volunteers Won’t Save America

Editorial

EDITORIAL: Confessions of an Editor

Editorial

EDITORIAL: Our Extended, Persecuted Family

LETTERS: Jesus is the truth

Staff Assignments

News

Flash Cards from Heaven

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