The Russian Orthodox Church announced it is breaking ties with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate over its decision to grant independence to the Ukrainian church, which Moscow does not recognise.
Hilarion, the bishop in charge of the Russian Orthodox Church's diplomacy, said after a meeting of the Holy Synod (the decision-making body, of the Russian Orthodox Church), he does not recognise the decision taken last week by the Constantinople Patriarchate.
Since Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and the ensuing conflict with pro-Russia separatists in east Ukraine, Kiev has been wary of the influence of the Moscow Patriarch Kirill, who is an avid supporter of Kremlin's policies.
The Constantinople Patriarchate, a leading Orthodox authority, also overruled a 17th century decision that adjoined Kievan Orthodox churches, or the Kievan Metropolis, to Moscow.
The decision in Istanbul was "illegal and canonically worthless," and means, "we will not be able to hold religious services together with the Constantinople Patriarchate... and worshippers will not be able to take communion in Constantinople Patriarchate's churches," Hilarion said.
