Orthodox Church of Czech Lands suspended from country’s Ecumenical Council

Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague. Photo: Wikipedia

On November 25, 2025, the General Assembly of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic voted to suspend the membership of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands for one year, UOJ in the Czech Republic reports.

According to the Council’s statement, the one-year moratorium is the result of a loss of trust and a breakdown of cooperation between the Ecumenical Council and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands. The Church must take the necessary steps to correct the situation before the next Assembly meeting in 2026, otherwise its membership may be terminated entirely.

Among the main issues cited are the long-term absence of Orthodox representatives at meetings of the Council’s executive bodies, minimal participation in commission work, and repeated press reports about non-transparent financial management – especially within the Prague Diocese. The Czech Ministry of Culture has confirmed instances of the Church’s systematic failure to meet its financial obligations to the state and its employees.

The Council also recalled last year’s Senate report on Russian influence operating through Orthodox structures in the country. The Assembly reiterated its disagreement with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and expressed concern over the possible use of church bodies for propaganda purposes.

Despite the suspension, the Ecumenical Council has preserved existing agreements concerning the ministry of Orthodox chaplains in state institutions. The statement expresses hope that the Church will overcome the current crisis, resolve its financial issues, and restore trust in order to keep its place in the Council.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Prague Diocese risks losing its special rights due to debts owed to the state.

Read also