Metropolitan Tikhon of Simferopol and Crimea, a prominent figure in the Moscow Patriarchate and a spiritual advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, recently made controversial statements regarding the desire of Russians for Primacy in Orthodoxy.
In an interview with Russian media, Metropolitan Tikhon discussed the idea of Constantinople returning to its “true homeland” within Orthodoxy. He also referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “son of Satan”, accusing him of plotting in Turkey, where Constantinople is located. He expressed confidence that Constantinople would eventually return to its rightful place, much like Crimea, which he referred to as the “womb of Orthodoxy.”
These statements have sparked debate about the meaning of “return” in this context. Constantinople has always been the historical and spiritual center of Orthodoxy, with the Ecumenical Patriarchate serving as its longstanding institution. Drawing parallels to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, suggests a troubling narrative aligning with Moscow’s aspirations to establish itself as the “Third Rome.”
The historical background is worth noting. The Moscow Patriarchate gained autocephaly in the 16th century, granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the sole authority for granting autocephaly to Orthodox Churches. This raises doubts about the Moscow Patriarchate’s claim as the “mother of Orthodoxy.”
Furthermore, Metropolitan Tikhon claimed that past Orthodox Empires like Byzantium and Tsarist Russia fell due to Western interference. He emphasized Russia’s resilience against Western influence and warned of potential division, drawing parallels to the events of 1917.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas