The Zelensky Campaign Against Russian Orthodoxy in Ukraine Has Succeeded Beyond All Expectations
Happy Easter!
Allow me to congratulate you a day late. Happy Easter. In the Slavlands, they say “Christ is Risen!” to which you are supposed to reply, “Indeed He Is Risen”!
So, here I go: Christ is Risen! [Feel free to reply in the comments below].
Now, let me state my biases upfront before I dive into the topic of Slavlands Orthodoxy.
I think that the post-Nicene inclusion of the OT was a disaster
I don’t like that Nicene Christianity is anti-mystical and condemns spiritual discipline
I think that equating morality with spirituality is a mistake
I don’t believe in universal morality
I believe that Marcion was right and that he provides a template for re-Christianizing Christianity
As far as I am concerned, you have now been led to water, and it is up to you if you want to take a drink. You can read all my musings on metaphysics here in your down time if you like.
Biases aside, I understand the positions of Orthodoxy and can report on it accurately.
Got it? Cool.
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Zelensky has had two metropolitans arrested already. Metropolitan Theodosius of the Cherkasy Diocese is accused of loyalty to Russia and treason to Ukraine. He was placed under round-the-clock house arrest with the mandatory wearing of an electronic bracelet for 60 days. This is the same measure that was imposed on Metropolitan Pavel of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Zelensky is not a Christian. Lol. He is an ethnic neocon who has stated that he was an atheist before. But he does believe that Israel is holy. Fancy that.
Now, there are two Orthodox Churches in Ukraine. One is the schismatic Orthodox Ukrainian Church and the other is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Both openly denounce Russia and are anti-Russian. The only difference is that the non-schismatic one is technically still in communion in Moscow, but only for now. A synod is scheduled to meet in Moscow soon to decide their theological fate. Basically, Moscow is preparing to declare them schismatics as well.
Why?
Well, there are many reasons for this. The most important reason is that they have declared themselves independent from Moscow. That is, they haven’t quite declared autocephaly status, but they have declared themselves “independent” which is a de facto schism, but not a de jure schism from the perspective of Orthodox theology. Self-declared autocephaly is illegal under Church tradition/law and a big deal so just declaring independence is a weasel-way of getting out of Moscow’s control without committing a theological no-no. But, despite all their clever maneuvering, the non-schismatic UOC is between a rock and a hard place and will no longer exist soon, at the rate at which things are developing.
So now, on the one side, the occupation government in Kiev is actively arresting their priests and confiscating their property. Even before the Kiev government moved against them, the UOC still supported Kiev and condemned Moscow. As they are being destroyed now, they are still trying to appease Kiev. So, while Kiev systematically eliminates them, they continue to attack Moscow. You could say that they don’t have much of a choice now, but then, the reason why they don’t have a choice today (and no future tomorrow) is because of bad choices made yesterday.
Luckily, even Moscow has its limits and so they’ve declared that they have had enough and are making moves to break ties and all support to the UOC. The split is all but a done deal at this point and once the ink and candle wax is dry, the UOC will no longer be considered a canonical church by Moscow and the souls in its care in Ukraine will have their prospects of a happy afterlife thrown into jeopardy.
In layman’s terms, they decided on the “sitting on two stools” strategy and are now falling through the gap between Kiev/NATO and Moscow. Good riddance to all fence and stool-sitters I say.
This will leave the UCO in charge of Ukraine, for awhile. They will then be asked to share more and more power with the Uniates, who are a complicated variant of Catholicism with elements of Orthodoxy thrown in or it is the other way around depending on who you are asking. In time, the UCO will also doubtless be phased out in favor of the Uniates, who are more “pro-Western” and aligned with Rome.
So, not only did Moscow lose Ukraine politically, economically and now militarily, but they have now lost them spiritually as well. The goal of the West is, of course, to create another Poland of sorts - a nation built on an anti-identity against Russia. Ukraine will now have a separate language, history, economy, political system and religion in due time as well.
Quite the fete accompli. I am in awe of how good the West is at this game. Or is it that Moscow is simply not trying?
Let us agree to let the Chinese historians sort that one out.
But how are the Orthodox in Russia reacting to the news?
Remember, the faithful don’t put as much weight on politics as we do. Or rather, they first filter politics through a religious lens. They care about politics quite a bit, but only as it relates to the interests of their theological empire. The official consensus emerging out of Russia is quite interesting, but also entirely predictable if you understand how these people think.
But you have to get behind the paywall to read the truth and to have your soul saved from everlasting ignorance and damnation. I’m sorry, but really, you ought to be asking yourselves, what is more important to you, really. The measly $50 yearly contribution or everlasting Slavland knowledge, Slav-soul status and my eternal gratitude? Frankly, I am offering you a bargain here that not even Martin Luther could object to in good faith. Before nailing your theses to my comments section, consider just how cheap $50 is really. Do you know how much the Mormons charge? The Scientologists? Regular church tithes?
Take a long look into your own heart and then look on down into your wallet next, count out those five 10s burning a hole in your khakis and pass them over to me with a glad heart for sake-keeping.
Do not tarry. Do not wait. Remember when you prayed to God to send you a sign? This is that sign, folks. God is sending you a sign right now and it says, “send money to Rolo and read his articles, ya dummy” in bold letters.
Act as if your Slavic soul status depended on it, because it does. Thanks!