Lithuania bans Patriarch Kirill from entering the country

The Republic of Lithuania has banned the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, from entering the country because of his support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine, reports BNS with reference to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.

"Patriarch Kirill, Vladimir Putin's closest associate, is one of the most active supporters of the war against Ukraine, who has repeatedly publicly expressed positive views on the ongoing Russian aggression," the publication cited the foreign ministry as saying.

In Lithuania, Patriarch Kirill was added to the list of undesirable persons on June 23, 2022, but Vilnius announced it publicly on July 27, 2022.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church will not be able to visit Lithuania until June 23, 2027, writes BNS.

As reported, Patriarch Kirill received the ruling bishops of the Luhansk and Rovenky eparchies.

.

Read also

DESS: The number of communities joining OCU in 2024 is half of last year’s

Over a year, 232 communities of the UOC changed their jurisdiction.

Scale of internal damage to UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia shown online

The video allows viewers to assess the damage endured by the main Orthodox church of the UOC in Zaporizhzhia.

Ex-MP UOC protodeacon Novinsky declared suspicion of high treason

The former MP is accused of "ensuring that a significant part of Ukrainian society, who are believers of the UOC, remain under the direct influence of the leader of the ROC".

St Andrew’s icon survives under the rubble of UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia

The icon was painted by nuns of the St Nicholas Monastery in Patras (Greece) and consecrated on the relics of St Andrew the Apostle.

RF missile strike destroys St Andrew's Cathedral of UOC in Zaporizhzhia

The fragments damaged the roof of the building, dome, ceilings, cut windows and disfigured classrooms.

Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray

After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.