Czech Church marks anniversary of its primate’s enthronement

Metropolitan Rastislav. Photo: Union of Orthodox Journalists in Czech Republic and Slovakia

The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia is marking the anniversary of the enthronement of its primate, Metropolitan Rastislav, who assumed leadership of the Church in January 2014. This was reported by UOJ in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

According to the publication, the primate was elected by participants of the 13th Extraordinary Council held in Prešov. At the time of his election, Metropolitan Rastislav was 36 years old. His enthronement – the solemn assumption of office – took place at the Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky in Prešov and marked the conclusion of a period of internal discord in the Church, restoring it to canonical unity. Prior to his election, he served as Archbishop of Prešov.

During the first years of Metropolitan Rastislav’s ministry, relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate were restored. In January 2016, negotiations were held in Istanbul, resulting in the removal of canonical ambiguities and the restoration of full ecclesiastical communion. The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia unites parishes in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and its autocephaly is recognized by all Local Orthodox Churches.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Synod of the Czech Church expressed support for the UOC and Metropolitan Onuphry.

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