Polish Primate supports Vilna Diocese in its quest for independence

Metropolitan Sawa, Primate of the autocephalous Polish Orthodox Church, approved the desire of the Vilna-Lithuanian diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church for greater independence. This was reported by orthodoxy.lt.

“It is necessary to move vigorously along this path,” he said.

This statement was made by the head of the Polish Church during the fraternal visit of Metropolitan Innokenty of Vilna and Lithuania to Poland.

Metropolitan Innokenty spoke about the situation in Lithuania and the steps being taken towards obtaining the status of a self-governing Church, as well as difficulties that Orthodox Lithuanians are currently facing.

The Primate of the Polish Church also supported the decision to defrock 15 clerics of the Vilna-Lithuanian diocese.

“The decision of Metropolitan Innokenty was correct. No one should violate church canons so that all sorts of discord and schism in the Church could be avoided,” said Metropolitan Sawa.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Vilna discussed the independence of his Church with the head of the POC.

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