Statement of Mission and Service in the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia

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from the Office of His Apostolic Highness the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia

12 November 2024

Summary:

The United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia form a diverse ethno-religious nation without borders that transcends modern political boundaries. We prioritize the Church's mission above national loyalties, emphasizing unity in Christ over nationalism, which can create division and conflict. Members and especially church officials are expected to uphold these values publicly and focus on the Church's teachings rather than personal political views. The Church promotes respectful dialogue and cherishes the diverse backgrounds of its members while striving for spiritual growth and unity in their shared Christian mission.

Read also the Canonical Status of the Church.

Read also about the Temporal Rights of the Church.



The United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia constitute an ethno-religious nation without physical or political borders that span many modern civil state. We by our very history have diverse traditions and cultures within the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. We value the diverse backgrounds, views, and cultures that our members, officials, and their families bring to our community. This diversity enriches our work and strengthens our commitment to the shared Christian mission, a mission transcending borders and governments. Indeed, we are a cultural anchor. Our unique historic culture of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State not only constitutes a valuable heritage and identity of its own, but also contributes to local heritage and history. We have influenced art, music, and social customs around the world. Rooted in the traditions of ancient Christianity, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church is dedicated to maintaining its unifying Orthodox Old Catholic faith and upholding the unity and heritage passed down through centuries. The diverse cultures we represent strengthen our unity.

The Primacy of the Church Over the Civil State

In all we do, the Church remains above all worldly powers. Our commitment to God and the sacred principles of faith guides us and must come before any allegiance to the state or nation. Indeed, nations come and nations go, but the Church remains. As an Apostolic and autocephalous Church, our mission focuses on safeguarding the apostolic traditions, fostering a global community, and promoting unity in Christ.

While patriotism to a civil government may be understandable as a personal sentiment, nationalism threatens the unity of the Church by elevating temporal allegiances above our higher calling. In more detail, nationalism is understood as an excessive or idolatrous elevation of one’s own nation, ethnic group, or culture, often at the expense of the universal, inclusive nature of the Christian faith. Orthodox teaching emphasizes that Christ’s Church transcends all earthly divisions—national, ethnic, and cultural—uniting believers of every background in the Body of Christ. (Galatians 3:28). Nationalism can lead to prioritizing national or ethnic identity over Christian identity, which can divide the faithful and contradict the Church’s mission to be a united, holy, catholic, and apostolic body. Nationalism can also foster hostility, pride, and even violence, which are contrary to the love and humility Christ taught. 

For this reason, we encourage all members, regardless of their citizenship in a civil state, to respect the separation between their personal views on national issues and their commitment to serving the Church’s global mission.

Upholding Integrity and Unity in Public Conduct

The officials and representatives of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State are expected to embody the Church’s values, laws, and policies publicly, honoring their commitment to a higher purpose and protecting our shared mission from potential misunderstandings or conflicts. While there is room for  personal expression, publicly-visible statements must above all reflect our commitment to Christ, community, and the values we stand for.

To ensure that the Church remains a haven for all who seek spiritual growth, we further remind all members that personal opinions, especially on divisive national, political, or social issues, are best left outside the public sphere when representing the Church. It is the Church's position alone that we must express and promote. To that purposes, we note that clergy and officials have a right and duty to speak out on global, national, local, social, and moral issues, but always in defence of the faith and in accordance with the doctrine and policy of the Church. Clergy, officials, and members should seek guidance of episcopal authority in such cases. And indeed we acknowledge that, in history, there have been periods when the collective Christian Church safeguarded its unity, culture, heritage, and values despite political pressure. Together, we strive to model a unity that speaks beyond borders, rooted in the eternal, unifying message of Christ.

Encouraging Dialogue and Growth

The Roman-Ruthenian Church in Christian charity welcomes respectful and open dialogue. We strive always to enhance unity while respecting each member’s unique background. The Church is grateful for the dedication each official and member brings to our mission as an ethno-religious cultural institute and nation without borders. 

 


 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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