Exarch for Africa responds to the Church of Alexandria hierarch's letter

Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa. Photo: blagovest-info.ru

Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa, responded in his telegram channel to an open letter from Metropolitan Gregory of Cameroon, published on the orthodoxia.info website.

In this letter, the hierarch of the Church of Alexandria accuses Metropolitan Leonid of anti-Hellenism and calls his ministry under the Patriarch of Alexandria as an exile.

According to Metropolitan Leonid, this letter is "a lie from the first to the last word."

“Indeed, I lived and studied in Greece for 5 years, and I met just a few people like you, any nation has them. We have a saying about 'one scabby sheep that will mar a whole flock.' Over these 5 years, I received the warmest memories of the country, people and made friends with whom I communicate to this day,” said the exarch of Africa.

“Do you call an ‘exile’ the ministry of the Representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus to the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa!? For 9 years I have been fulfilling the most difficult obedience from my Mother Church, helping your Patriarch in all areas related to our compatriots and ensuring bilateral relations. In addition, I've been presented two highest awards from the Church of Alexandria. What is your list of achievements?” he said.

“I advise you to learn Russian. My antimensions are already on their way to Cameroon,” Metropolitan Leonid told the hierarch of the Church of Alexandria.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church said the majority of the laity had also joined the Russian Orthodox Church alongside African priests.

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