Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria sent a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who are currently gathered in Istanbul.
The Patriarch again calls for support against the anti-canonical actions of the Russian Church in Africa, which has launched a “mission” on the continent, consisting of creating a schism, taking away temples of the Alexandrian Patriarchate and attracting local priests for higher pay. This has also been accompanied by political action with local African governments, many of which Russia maintains close relations with.
The letter-address of the Patriarch of Alexandria is addressed to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the hierarchs of the Ecumenical See, asking for their practical support for the just struggle of the Patriarchate of Alexandria to protect the canonical order and the unity of the Church in Africa. Patriarch Theodore calls on the hierarchs to become “angels of light” and to inform every person of good will in detail about the injustice committed in Africa by the Russian Orthodox Church. He calls for pressure from the church body to return the ROC to canonical frameworks and stop its divisive actions.
Patriarch Theodore recalls the historical responsibility of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the preservation of the Orthodox faith and the unity of the Church and asks for its active and effective intervention in this extremely important matter.
The appeal of the Patriarch of Alexandria also reflects his deep faith in the unity of the Orthodox Church and in the empathy between the Patriarchates, expecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate to play its primary role in resolving this crisis.
Patriarch Theodore expresses his indignation at the “deafening silence” of the other Orthodox prelates, who did not take any action or express a position against this violation of church canons.
This indifference and neutrality – says the patriarch – can be interpreted as tacit support for the Russian Church, thereby encouraging its anti-canonical actions.
