Phanar’s exarch in Lithuania: Categorically against taking away MP churches

Justinus Kiviloo, the head of the Lithuanian Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Photo: LRT

The Phanar cleric Justinus Kiviloo, the head of the newly established Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Lithuania, told LRT that he does not intend to take churches away from the Lithuanian Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and considers such actions unacceptable.

“I’ve heard that there is an opinion in Lithuania that Russian [Orthodox] churches should be taken away [from the Moscow Patriarchate]. I’m categorically against that. We have to build churches ourselves," Kiviloo said. “Of course, it will take time, but we are looking for possibilities.”

The clergyman, who came to Lithuania from Estonia, celebrated his first service as the head of the new Orthodox Church structure in Lithuania at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity on 6 January.

The exarch said that the community, currently gathering in prayer houses of different denominations, will eventually have its own church, which they hope to build with donations.

According to the resource, the decision to register the Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Lithuania will be made by the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice. LRT writes that the registration of the exarchate will give the organisation access to state financial support allocated to traditional religious communities.

The Exarchate in Lithuania consists of ten clergy and ten communities in different cities.

As reported, the Phanar is setting up its exarchate in Lithuania.

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