Synod of Constantinople Church elects Exarch for Lithuania

Archimandrite Panaretos Psaraftis. Photo: romfea.gr

On May 26, 2026, a session of the Synod of the Church of Constantinople was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Phanar under the chairmanship of Patriarch Bartholomew. During the meeting, the hierarchs unanimously voted to appoint a bishop for ministry in Lithuania, UOJ Greece reports.

On this topic Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence

Archimandrite Panaretos Psaraftis received the title of Bishop of Tamasos. Until now, he had served as Grand Preacher and had effectively carried out the duties of the Exarch of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Lithuania. The newly elected bishop will now continue his work in the Lithuanian Exarchate in episcopal rank.

As reported earlier by the UOJ, Lithuania allocated funding to the Phanar Exarchate because of Ukrainians.

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