Church of Latvia comments on autocephaly received by the Saeima decision

The Latvian Orthodox Church commented on the “autocephalous status” received on September 8, 2022 by the decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, noting that this decision is legislative and the changes made relate to the legal status of the Church, the press service of the LOC reports.

“The state has established the status of our Church as autocephalous. The state has determined that the Latvian Orthodox Church is legally independent from any church center located outside the borders of Latvia, maintaining spiritual, prayerful and liturgical communion with all canonical Orthodox Churches of the world. The change in status does not change the Orthodox Faith, dogmas, the Liturgical life of the Church, the calendar style, sacred liturgical language, rites, traditions and internal church life,” specified the press service of the LOC.

The Latvian Church added that the Synod of the LOC calls on the clergy and laity to maintain a peaceful disposition of spirit, to maintain the unity of the Church, "strictly observing the laws of our Latvian State."

“Being spiritually and prayerfully in unbreakable unity with the entire Orthodox world, let us preserve the purity of our Faith and strengthen Holy Orthodoxy on the land of Latvia. We exhort all believers to pray diligently and fervently for our Holy Church, so that the Merciful Lord keep it in peace and prosperity,” the LOC noted.

Let us recall that on September 8, at the initiative of the President of the State of Latvia, Mr. Egils Levits, the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia amended the Law on the Latvian Orthodox Church.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Russian Orthodox Church was outraged by the interference of the authorities in the affairs of the Latvian Church.

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