Patriarchate of Constantinople recognizes "Macedonian Church"

On May 9, 2022, the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, headed by Patriarch Bartholomew, recognized the "Macedonian Church" and entered into Eucharistic communion with its "clergy", according to the Romfea.gr website.

At the same time, Phanar renamed this structure, calling them the Ohrid Archdiocese. The Patriarchate of Constantinople declared that by accepting the Macedonian Church into communion, they "heal the wound of schism."

Also, the Phanar Synod decided that the Serbian Orthodox Church should resolve "administrative issues" with the schismatics in North Macedonia.

Earlier, the hierarch of the SOC said that the head of Phanar could provoke a break with the Serbian Church if it decides single-handedly on the “autocephaly” of schismatics in Montenegro or Macedonia.

Recall that the only canonical Orthodox Church in North Macedonia is the Ohrid Archdiocese of the Serbian Church, which is headed by Archbishop Ioann (Vranishkovsky). The authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia refuse to register the Ohrid Archdiocese despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, but support the "Macedonian Orthodox Church" and requested Phanar to grant it autocephaly.

As reported by the UOJ, the Serbian Patriarchate resumed dialogue with the "Macedonian Church".

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