Kiev-loyal Orthodox church doubtful of its future in Crimea
Simferopol, Crimea/Kiev (Reuters) - a Ukrainian orthodox christians who are loyal to Kiev feel after the Crimean increasingly insecure, Russia's black sea peninsula annexation, some had left the church leaders said on Monday.
Since the Soviet union in 1991, destruction and an independent Ukraine's arrival, the country's orthodox faith has divided the bishop's position between Kiev and Moscow. Much bigger church does not recognize the Kiev opponents in Moscow, it is part of the global orthodox communion.
An estimated 220000 Crimeans loyal to Kiev, he would have felt sympathy for the region's strong pro-russian marginalized, but peninsula Moscow's acquisition of loopholes helped his feelings.
Their doubts echo of another ethnic minority, Crimean tatar, a mostly Muslim turkic, annexation of Russia. Most of the population of ethnic russians Crimean strongly support a referendum on March 16, joined by illegal from Kiev and the west brand voted in favour of Russia.
"We leave, clergy, families have been clerics was here, but they will also leave immediately, if forced to accept Russian passports," community leader clement metropolitan told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"Our church can be thrown into the streets today or tomorrow, because we are not not with Russian law," clement, who said that he had left the Crimean said for security reasons.
Clement said, orthodox in sevastopol port city is now the only church effectively closed, because it is located in Russia now control the Ukrainian military base "who also don't let the priests, sometimes, let alone others."
Trade complaints and accusations
Rival the bishop's position and their followers have been accused of an exchange of the Crimean some accused western countries of trying to be loyal to the Moscow to include respect of ICONS and other religious items full-time church property escape Kiev priest.
Those loyal to Kiev have said according to a Russian orthodox cleric service makes every effort to take over their church, and sometimes accompanied by Russian soldiers to carry out their message.
Russia has enumerated support the church's alleged threat to Moscow to suppress its forces sent to Ukraine, to protect the rights of citizens and russian-speaking admirers. Patriarch kirill, the head of the Russian orthodox church in Moscow, has the close relation, President vladimir putin.
Father of vera leite, orthodox church in Ukraine, Kiev patriarchal head, in Kiev, said on Monday the Crimean new Russian support for the authorities put forward written guarantee, that his community will be left in peace.
"(but) this is the moment to make real the promises of it's hard to believe - they promise one thing, then go to do other things, so if they do not promise, we will take the Crimean muslims in their offer," vera, said in a press conference.
In unity between an unusual religious gestures, Crimean tatar Muslim minorities have expressed a willingness to let the Kiev loyal orthodox Christian service in their mosques.
