THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ITALY
EXARCHATE OF THE ITALIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
AN EXARCHATE OF THE AUTONOMOUS METROPOLIS OF WESTERN EUROPE AND CANADA FOUNDED IN 1993AD BY THE KIEV PATRIARCHATE
PEELING BACK THE WHITEWASHED LAYERS!!!
His Beatitude Basil I the reposed Primate of the Italian Orthodox Church was consecrated to the episcopacy in February of 1995AD within the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada of the Patriarchate of Kiev (now become the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – a Canonical Church in full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other mainstream orthodox churches).
The then bishop Basilio along with bishop Volodymir (the current primate of the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada, founded with a Tomos “Canonical Decree” of Autonomy bestowed by the Ukrainian Church of the then Patriarchate of Kiev), consecrated various bishops of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, amongst these were: Metropolitan Michael of Korsun - recently deceased, Metropolitan John of Arles, Theodore of Heraclea, etc.
After Metropolitan Evloghios Hessler was suspended (20th February 1997AD), the Metropolitan See remained vacant at which Metropolitan Basilio became the elder bishop “de facto” of the Autonomous Metropolis in the company of bishop Volodymir.
Hence, with various changing circumstances which reshaped the Ukrainian Diaspora towards the end of the 90’s, the same Archbishop Basilio of Ostia and Archbishop Volodymir together with the remnant clergy continued to operate in the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada (the Autonomous Metropolis is not to be confused with the Metropolis of Aquileia or Synod of Milan which were formed after these severed themselves from the Kiev Patriarchate).
Furthermore, in 2006AD an episcopal consensus favoured the election of bishop Volodymir of St. Julius as Metropolitan of Western Europe and Canada, whilst in February of 2007AD archbishop Basilio of Ostia was elected as Procurator for Central Italy of the Metropolis of St. Julius (Decreed – n. 2/2007 25th January 2007AD) further nominated via the Metropolis as Archbishop of Ostia and Altino (Decreed – n. 3/2007 10th February 2007AD).
Thus, the Metropolitan of St. Julius, Western Europe and Canada consulted the Holy Synod regarding the petition of the Archbishop of Altino and Ostia (Letter Reg. 185 31st August 2007AD) who asked for the status of Autonomy for the administration of Italy.
Hence, Metropolitan Volodymir who was invested with canonical strength via the Tomos “Canonical Decree” bestowed by the saintly Patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk - re-confirmed by the Autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, formulated with the Holy Synod a Tomos of Autonomy for the Italian territories; founded the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Italy which later became the Italian Orthodox Church!
Archbishop Basilio was then elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of Lazio and Primate of the Autonomous Italian Orthodox Church – Metropolis of St. Julius and of Western Europe and Canada (renominated as the Italian Orthodox Church) thus receiving his new title and right to be addressed as: His Beatitude Basilio I.
After the Autonomous Orthodox Church was founded (COAI) His Beatitude Metropolitan Basilio in 2008AD encountered the Primate of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Italy (receiving Autonomy from the Alternative Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church which was not recognized by the majority of Eastern Christendom). Both Primates came to an agreement, and Metropolitan Basilio humbled himself by becoming Metropolitan of Tuscany whilst Metropolitan De Rosso maintained the See of Ravenna as Primate.
Metropolitan De Rosso passed away a year later on the 20th February 2009AD leaving Metropolitan Basilio in an ecclesial state of ‘de Facto’ - remaining the only and legitimate Metropolitan of Italy – this fact is in no way due to the Succession from Metropolitan De Rosso who obtained Autonomy from an Alternative Patriarch of Bulgaria.
Rather, Metropolitan Basilio was elected as Metropolitan of Italy on the 9th September 2007AD by the Holy Synod of the Autonomous Metropolis Western Europe and Canada (Metropolis of St. Julius) reconfirmed the fullness of his canonical validity and election in 2007AD. Hence, His Beatitude Basilio I having been one of the Eldest Metropolitan Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was thus the legitimate and undisputable Metropolitan of Italy!
Therefore, on the 16th March 2009AD Metropolitan Basilio was reconfirmed as Archbishop of Ravenna – acquiring the rank of Primate once more which was never removed for he voluntarily chose to lay thus aside in humility; becoming archbishop of Lazio and Metropolitan Primate of Italy. The Primate of Italy was thus immediately recognized by the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada within the Patriarchate of Kiev – remaining in full communion until his repose on the 19th December 2021AD.
The Italian Orthodox Church worked tirelessly with the Eparchy of St. Julius recognizing the reposed Metropolitan Basilio as the legitimate and Canonical Primate of the Italian Orthodox Church founded in 2007AD by the Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada (herself founded by the Patriarchate of Kiev 1993AD) also considered as one of the eldest and honoured Metropolitans of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (a church which is now fully canonical)!
The Eparchy of St. Julius which has canonically absorbed the Italian Orthodox Church (ex Italian Autonomous Orthodox Church) now once again exercises jurisdictional presidency over the daughter church which leaped up into the arms of her Mother Church – the Autonomous Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church which founded her.
The Italian Orthodox Church has been thus converted into the Orthodox Exarchate of Italy and Switzerland which can continue to bear its name as: The Italian Orthodox Church. Considering that the previous adventure of the Orthodox Church of Italy under Metropolitan De Rosso only lasted a year, it is paramount to dock into the port of its very foundation; the Alternative Patriarchate of Bulgaria (It’s Synod being a controversy within the Church and not recognized by the majority of Eastern Christendom) ceasing with the death of her Primate Metropolitan Anthony De Rosso in 2009AD.
Therefore, His Beatitude Basilio I returned to his rightful position of governance as first hierarch of the Italian Orthodox Church – maintaining the prerogatives of complete Autonomy which were canonically bestowed him in 2007AD by the Autonomous Metropolis – Patriarchate of Kiev “recognized by the majority of churches in Eastern Christendom”!
After the repose of His Beatitude Basilio I on the 19th December 2021AD, the Archdiocese of St. Julius took charge of the Italian Church: it is crucial to bear in mind that the Archdiocese was founded by the Patriarchate of Kiev on the 10th December 1995AD This same Eparchial See of the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada, was canonically instituted by the saintly patriarch of Kiev Volodymir Romaniuk in December 1993AD and confirmed on both 10th and 19th of December 1995AD by His Holiness Philaret the Patriarch of Kievan Rus and all Ukraine.
Hence, the Metropolis thus takes charge in its primacy of the complete governance of the ex-Autonomous Orthodox Church of Italy from the 21st January 2022AD – now Italian Orthodox Church (given the status of Exarchate) according to the canonical formats prescribed between the Italian Orthodox Church (the Daughter Church) in 2016AD (Decree Prot. 403 n. 267 2nd October 2016AD and Decree Prot. N 257/2016 of the Ukrainian Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada 2nd October 2016AD) with her Mother Church – the Metropolis of St. Julius which founded her on the 9th September 2007AD.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Basilio I was consecrated to the episcopacy in the Patriarchate of Kiev (February 1995AD Decree 142) along with Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius who was consecrated to the episcopacy by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev on the 19th December 1995AD (Patriarchal Decree n.166).
In addition, after the DE legitimization of the Primate of Milan on the 20th February 1997AD, Metropolitan Basilio and Metropolitan Volodymir maintained cordial relations with the Patriarchate of Kiev. Thus, both metropolitans consecrated Metropolitan Michael (Laroche) of Korsun of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (a Church which is in full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the 15th canonical Orthodox Church).
Further, the Ukrainian diaspora has not yet entered into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Metropolis/Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Western Europe and Canada and most importantly: has never received canonical sanctions which would of impeded in its ecclesial function either by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church or the Ecumenical Patriarchate!
Thus, the Archdiocese of St. Julius has canonically assumed governance over the Orthodox Church of Italy and its clergy. The Italian Orthodox Church (Exarchate of Italy and Switzerland) is now under the canonical jurisdiction and direction of Metropolitan Volodymir who founded her in 2007AD.
His Eminence Metropolitan Volodymir rightfully assumed the chair of governance which the reposed Metropolitan Primate His Beatitude Basilio I held till his repose (Met. Volodymir instituted the reposed primate’s position on the 9th September 2007AD) with the virtue of the canonical votes of the Holy Synod of the Italian Orthodox Church (Synodal President: His Eminence Metropolitan Raffaele) united with votes from the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Western Europe and Canada – Patriarchate of Kiev:
His Eminence Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius and Classis.
His Eminence Metropolitan Alexander of Cividale.
His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas of Texas.
His Eminence Metropolitan Timothy of Syracuse.
His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of New York.
His Eminence Metropolitan Eugene of Setabis.
His Grace Bishop Michael of France.
His Grace Bishop Nicholas of St. Gallus.
Thus hereby expressed in the decree of the Italian Orthodox Church (n. 267, Prot. N. 403 on the 2nd October 2016AD obtained the canonical transferal of all clergy of the Italian Church under the Omophorion (metropolitan pallium) of the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada – Archdiocese of St. Julius and Classis within the Orthodox Exarchate Italy (existing as the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Italy and then Italian Orthodox Church).
The transfer took place in all sincerity and wholehearted obedience to the sacred canons.
At the consensus of the College of Bishops regarding the transfer, the clergy of the Italian Orthodox Church followed the canonical prescriptions required. Hence, these requested incardination into the Orthodox Archdiocese of St. Julius ‘which was thus elected by the bishops as the Primal See’ at which the same Archdiocese obliged in providing canonical incardination to the clergy.
After years of fraternal collaboration with Metropolitan Basilio, at which the two metropolitans ‘Basilio and Volodymir’ consecrated other bishops together (these now part of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada), considering Metropolitan Basilio’s repose, Metropolitan Volodymir is the last of the old line of bishops of the Holy Synod which was founded by the saintly patriarch His Holiness Volodymir.
The same metropolitan has presidency over a synod of 9 bishops (all bishops consecrated by Metropolitan Basilio and Metropolitan Volodymir). The Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada holds 7 exarchates.
1. Exarchate of Italy and Switzerland.
2. Exarchate of France.
3. Exarchate of Central Europe (Germany and Austria)
4. Exarchate of Spain and Portugal.
5. Exarchate of the British Isles.
6. Exarchate of Canada (Francophone)
7. Exarchate of Canada (Anglophone)
These 9 canonical bishops hold the Church’s Exarchates with various parishes bestowed via the blessing and prayers of the saintly patriarch Volodymir Romaniuk – forming the Holy Synod of the Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada founded in 1993AD by the Patriarchate of Kiev.
The College of Bishops is composed by:
1. His Eminence Metropolitan Volodymir of St. Julius.
2. His Eminence Metropolitan Raffaele of Laus Pompeia and Melbourne.
3. His Eminence Metropolitan Eugene of Setabis and Astigi.
4. His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Podgorica.
5. His Eminence Archbishop Nicholas of St. Gallus and Heraclea.
6. His Eminence Archbishop Cyril of Ville de Quebec and Canada.
7. His Grace Bishop Basil of Arles and France.
8. His Grace Bishop Matthew of Lodeve.
9. His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Toul and Vance.
In the Paschal Season of Grace,
+ Volodymir
First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Autonomous Metropolis of Western Europe and Canada.
