Albanian archbishop comments on his position regarding OCU
Archbishop Ioannis. Photo: Press Service of the Albanian Church
The newly elected Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ioannis, explained his stance on the issue of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), according to the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Albania, citing Ethnikos Kirikas.
The Archbishop said that the Albanian Church deeply regrets the current ecclesiastical situation in Ukraine. In his words, “It is a true tragedy that has divided many Churches.”
“Our position has already been clearly stated in the decisions of our Synod. There is nothing more we can add to that,” he emphasized, adding that “Archbishop Anastasios had the gift of foresight and understood where everything was heading.”
“I believe he acted very diplomatically. He sought compromise and accepted proposals from both sides,” Archbishop Ioannis said.
In order to overcome the division among the Churches, he noted, “goodwill is necessary.”
As a reminder, Archbishop Anastasios and the Synod of the Albanian Church have, since 2019, issued numerous consistent statements criticizing the legalization by Constantinople of Denysenko, Maletich, and their followers. The UOJ analyzed these in the article ‘The Testament of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Regarding Ukraine’.
Read also
"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran
A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.
His Beatitude celebrates Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in Feofania
The Primate of the UOC led the Great Lenten service and blessed the koliva in the capital's monastery.
A third of young Christians in USA trust "spiritual advice" from AI, study
A Barna Group study showed: one-third of American Christians believe that AI provides advice that is no less reliable than that of a pastor.
UOC bishop celebrates Lenten service in persecuted parish of Khmelnytskyi
Metropolitan Viktor of Khmelnytskyi prayerfully supported the believers of the Dormition community, who lost their church as a result of seizure by OCU followers.