Russia no show at Orthodox meet

Orthodox church leaders from around the world met in Greece on Sunday for the first such gathering in a millennium, but the absence of several branches of the communion threatened to mar the event.

The clerics celebrated Orthodox Pentecost in the town of Heraklion on the island of Crete, where a “divine liturgy” was performed as part of the assembly that will last until June 27.

Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholom-ew called the so-called Holy and Great Council on issues including wedlock, fasting, and united representation in dioceses in countries such as the US and Australia.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos took part in the mass that was aired live on state broadcaster ERT.

But the absence of Russian Orthodox leader Kyrill, who represents some 130 million faithful — half the world’s Orthodox population — threatened to undermine the image of unity that the gathered leaders had sought to project.

Apart from Russia, the Orthodox Churches of Bulgaria and Georgia were also absent. Both are considered close to Moscow.

The Patriarchate of Antioch is also staying away because of a spat with Jerusalem over the appointment of clerics in Qatar.

“This great and holy council will carry the message of unity... it will help to escape the deadlocks of the present,” Patriarch Bartholomew told local media.

The last such meeting was in 1054 when Christi-anity split between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, in the so-called “great schi-sm” — and working out the details of the new council has taken over 50 years.

“The unity of Orthodoxy is good for us all. It is those who are absent who will miss out,” said Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias.

The Orthodox communion has about 250 million followers worldwide and consists of 14 autonomous churches.