Phanar сhief introducing Lithuania’s exarch: he knows Russian perfectly

Patriarch Bartholomew and Bishop Panaretos, Exarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate in Lithuania. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

On June 7, 2026, at the Holy Trinity Church in Vilnius, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew introduced his exarch in Lithuania, Bishop Panaretos of Tamasos. During his address, Patriarch Bartholomew placed particular emphasis on the hierarch’s linguistic abilities, according to Orthodoxia News Agency.

According to the Ecumenical Patriarch, the appointment of the exarch was prompted by the “historic duty of the Mother Church.” He stressed that Bishop Panaretos is called to become a “true spiritual father” who will speak to refugees from “blood-soaked Ukraine” and other Slavic-speaking countries in “the language of their forefathers.”

“His profound and perfect knowledge of the Russian language, as well as his ability to celebrate the sacred services in the ancient Church Slavonic language and according to the Slavic Typikon, constitute a bridge of consolation and a channel of communication for the multilingual and deeply wounded flock of the Baltic countries,” Patriarch Bartholomew stated.

In his response, the newly appointed exarch assured those present that the Constantinople Patriarchate had come to Lithuania “not to divide, but to unite.” Also attending the service were Gintaras Grušas, Vatican nuncio Georg Gänswein, and ambassadors from several countries, including Ukraine.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew accused the Russian Orthodox Church of undermining Orthodox unity.

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