Budrys: The role of the Exarchate of Constantinople plays a significant role in uniting the Lithuanian Orthodox community and reducing Moscow's influenceActivities of the[...]

On 19 December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with Archbishop Emmanuel, Metropolitan of Chalcedon. During the meeting, they discussed the current situation of the Exarchate of Constantinople, which was reestablished in Lithuania in 2023, the challenges facing the Orthodox community it brings together, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and issues related to support for Ukraine.

The minister thanked Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and Metropolitan Emmanuel for their continued support to the Orthodox community in Lithuania.

"Lithuania greatly appreciates the contribution of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in strengthening the Orthodox community's resistance to Moscow's influence. The exarchate in Lithuania, which was re-established two years ago, provides an alternative for believers seeking religious freedom without conflict of conscience," said Budrys.

Metropolitan Emmanuel sharply criticizes the Russian Orthodox Church, whose spiritual leaders, he says, are spreading a false interpretation of the Gospel in order to justify their position on the war.

The meeting was also attended by Father Vitalijus Mockus, head of the Lithuanian Exarchate, and Father Gintaras Jurgis Sungaila.

During his visit to Lithuania, Metropolitan Emmanuel also met with representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Finance, the Apostolic Nuncio, and the Archbishop of Vilnius.

After almost 300 years, the Exarchate of Constantinople was reestablished in Lithuania two years ago.