Part of the “Thoughts Aloud” mini-series created jointly by the “Sofia Brotherhood” and the German foundation Renovabis, within the project “Contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy: Breaking Myths for Reconciliation and Societal Consolidation.” Statements do not necessarily represent the official view of the Sofia Brotherhood.
Heorhiy Khodun, Priest of the OCU (Sumy Region)
In every religious tradition, there is a distinctive terminology that is completely clear to insiders yet can seem abstract or even contradictory to outsiders. Among such terms in Christianity, one of the most fundamental and simultaneously complex is “Church.” We often hear statements such as “the one true Church is ours,” or “outside the Church there is no salvation,” usually referring to a specific structure to which the speaker belongs. But is it truly this simple – and might such assertions conceal manipulations or misunderstandings of theological nuance?
For most believers, the Church is associated with tangible signs: a physical building, clergy in vestments, the name of the local bishop. It is the very community to which they belong, where their children were baptized and their deceased buried. And this is natural – people need visible anchors for their faith. Yet serious theology always extends beyond surface definitions.
Borders That Cannot Be Drawn
From a theological perspective, the concept of the Church is far broader and deeper than a single visible jurisdiction. In its original Greek meaning, “Ekklesia” (Church) denotes the assembly of the called. It is the Body of Christ, headed by Christ Himself. Saint Paul teaches that we are members of this Body, with Christ as its Head. This truth encompasses not only those alive on earth, but also the saints with God.
The issue arises when this invisible reality is forcibly confined within specific, visible human boundaries. The history of Christianity is full of schisms and new church structures, each claiming exclusivity, asserting possession of the “fullness of truth” and salvation.
However, if we understand that the Holy Spirit “blows where He wills” (John 3:8), and that Christ is the one Redeemer “and there is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12), how can we assert that His grace is limited by lines drawn by humans? Even within a single Orthodox tradition, authoritative theologians have never formulated a clear, unambiguous definition of the boundaries of the Church – that is, who is considered a member and who is not. This does not mean canonical order is unimportant – it provides structure to preserve unity, doctrine, and apostolic succession. But it is a means, not an end. Canons are tools intended to structure human life in the church community.
The Manipulation of “Exclusivity”
Unfortunately, the indefinability of the Church’s true boundaries – and its mystical nature – is often exploited by some jurisdictions. When clergy or leaders claim: “Only we are the true Church; all others are schismatics, heretics, apostates,” they betray the spirit of Christianity and close the door to dialogue and reconciliation.
Such rhetoric serves several purposes:
- Consolidation of Power: By presenting itself as the sole “true” Church, a jurisdiction asserts absolute authority over its believers and excludes any alternatives.
- Enforcement of Loyalty: The threat “outside the Church is no salvation” is a powerful tool to retain followers – no one wants to risk their soul.
- Justification of Hostility: Those not “with us” become “enemies” or “infidels,” justifying hostile or unjust behavior.
- Oversimplification: Instead of explaining the deep theology of the Church as the Body of Christ, a simplistic narrative is offered: “we are good, they are evil.”
Sadly, within Ukrainian church realities, this manipulation is all too familiar. We must learn to distinguish the essence of faith from its external forms, theological truths from human manipulations. Only by doing so can we avoid unnecessary conflict with those who, though different, believe in Christ just as we do.