[Tailgunner Joe]

Russian Patriarch Thanks Abkhaz ‘President’ - February 12, 2009 - Russia’s new Patriarch Kirill sent a letter to Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh, calling him “the President of Abkhazia.” In the letter the Russian Patriarch tells Bagapsh that the Russian Church would “remain committed to the course” of his predecessor, Alexy II, “related to further development of brotherly relations between the people of Russia and Abkhazia.” The letter, which was posted on the Russian patriarchate’s official website on February 11, was sent to thank the Abkhaz leader for congratulating Patriarch Kirill on his enthronement. Meanwhile, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on February 12, that a similar latter of gratitude was sent to breakaway South Ossetia’s leader, Eduard Kokoity.

[Kolokotronis]

TG, that the new Patriarch of Moscow sent a letter to the leader of the break away region to thank him for sending his best wishes on the MP’s enthronement isn’t at all remarkable. Its simply good manners.

The letter is telling in an ecclesiological sense in that +Kyrill says he remains committed to the course of his predecessor regarding relations between Russians and Abkhazians...which means no recognition for their schismatic church.

BTW,here’s a little Orthodox ecclesiology 101 for you. Were Moscow to unilaterally recognize the Abkhaz group as a sui juris church, it would likely result in a break in communion with ALL the other Orthodox churches which is the last thing the MP wants.