Why is it the Russian Church feels it speaks for all of Orthodoxy? That’s the position of the EP.
Russia has long regarded itself as the “Third Rome,” although of course the rest of the world doesn’t necessarily agree. This began with the fall of Constantinople and has had some currency among Russians for centuries, although it later was connected more with the Russian secular political situation than with anything religious. However, I think that, in addition to working out its relationship with the Catholic Church, the Russian church is now trying to resolve its relationship with (a) the various factions within it and (b) the MP.
As for this meeting with the Pope, it’s an excellent sign, regardless of the internal dynamics, because the Russians used to be extremely hostile to such a possibility and were much more negative than the Greeks or others.
“Why is it the Russian Church feels it speaks for all of Orthodoxy? That’s the position of the EP.”
Actually it is the position of neither the Patriarch of Moscow or of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch of Constantinople is just the First among Equals. He cannot speak “ex cathedra” for other autocephalis Orthodox Churches. Neither can the MP.
However the MP is correct when he points out that a decision towards union with Catholocism, taken unilaterally by the Patriarch of Constantinople is not binding on any other Orthodox Church.