The recent contacts between Russian Patriarchate and Russian Orthodox Church Abroad may develop a historical reconciliation between the two sister Churches. Some of the aspects implicated may be revealed here.

On May 15th, in San Francisco, began the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). Its historic main agenda was the decision to recognize the Russian Patriarch as the supreme leader after 80 years of separation. This historical act was met with great joy by the faithful, but also with some reservations, most of them caused by the suspicions related to the KGB past of the Patriarch Alexiy II, Mosnews informs. But the former problems and allegations were healed by the new approach taken by the Patriarch, who acted in order to canonize the tsar and his family, this being a symbolic gesture to regain the trust of the faithful. Read more of the comment by Mosnews here.

The split between the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Church Abroad is situated in the Red October Revolution 1917. Being an atheist regime and having as a goal the reduction of so-called "mysticism" and "superstition", the Communist regime started to oppress the Orthodox Church. In the decades after the revolution, there were a large number of Russian immigrants arriving in US, where they founded they own Orthodox Church, having its own canonical law and its own administration. After the Second World War, some words of reconciliation were heard, but they were only to be just words, because of the continuation of Stalinist policy.

The reconciliation process is reinforced by the mentality of the American-born Russians, who do not see Russia as an oppressor but as a partner for dialogue. Although the feeling of forgiving and putting aside the historical differences is a reality, there are people saying this union is not yet a thing of the present, because the union should only be accepted if the rights of the ROCOR are to be respected as they are. Read more about the reactions of priests and common Russian American faithful here.

Between May 15-19, the Synod will take analyze and adopt an Act on Canonical Community with the Patriarchate of Moscow. It is not the first act of this kind, two other resolutions being accepted already linking the two separate parts of the Russian Orthodox Church. Reuters informs that the members and leaders of ROCOR stated that they want a spiritual unity with Moscow, but they want also to preserve their administrative autonomy. Especially this second autonomy gives way to one major problem: what will happen with the cities where both Churches have their own communities and churches? The legislation of the Russian Church states that the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has the right to appoint bishops. However, this canon will not apply to the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad; the Synod of this ROCOR will appoint its own bishops and the Russian Patriarch will only bless the election.

The future negotiation between the two Churches appear to be difficult due to former historical background, but also promising because it may lead to a re-established sense of unity in Christ.

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