• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Moscow: Intrusion with political motives from the Phanar to the Serbian Church

May 11, 2022 | 18:50
in Carousel Front Page, FrontPage, Patriarchate of Moscow
Moscow: Intrusion with political motives from the Phanar to the Serbian Church

The sudden move of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to proceed with the recognition of the Ohrid Archdiocese, under Archbishop Stefan, continues to cause “upheaval” within the Orthodox Church.

While we await the first official reaction of the Patriarchate of Serbia, statements on the recognition of the Church of North Macedonia were made by Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, as well as by Archpriest Nikolay Balasov, vice-president of the Department of External Church Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow.

Balasov, speaking to the Russian agency TASS, stressed that the recognition of the Church of North Macedonia by Constantinople was “a blatant and politically motivated intrusion to the Serbian Orthodox Church”.

Specifically, the Archpriest of the Russian Church stressed that “The Patriarchate of Constantinople, as in the case of Ukraine, decided again to act as the sole mediator for the fate of the entire Orthodox world, as the sole and undisputed arbitrator in all ecclesiastical matters.

It has made a blatant non-cannical and politically motivated intrusion into the jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church. However, a legitimate decision on the status of the Orthodox Church of Northern Macedonia can only be taken by the Council of Bishops of the Patriarchate of Serbia. Any other decision without the participation of the Orthodox Church will not be recognized by the Russian Church. I hope that the other local Orthodox Churches will not do so either.”

Metropolitan Lovech (Patriarchate of Bulgaria): This move will bring more problems to the Orthodox Church

Speaking to the Bulgarian website BNT, Metropolitan Lovech stressed that this move by the Ecumenical Patriarchate “will bring more problems for the Orthodox Church”.

As he pointed out, “the Ecumenical Patriarchate has no more rights than any other Orthodox Church.”

The Metropolitan of the Bulgarian Church said that “I don’t know what will happen, how the Church of Serbia and other Churches will react, but this is a reason to intensify the schism.”

He went on to say: “The Church of North Macedonia has been under the jurisdiction of Serbia since the 1920s, and is recognized by all Orthodox Churches around the world. Therefore, according to the rules, the Serbian Orthodox Church had the right to grant autocephaly to the Church of North Macedonia, or a Pan-Orthodox Synod.”

According to Metropolitan Lovech, there is also another problem. The Church of North Macedonia cannot be given the name of the Ohrid Archdiocese, because this is the historical name of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, for the period 1018-1767.

In fact, he stressed that in 2017 the Holy Synod of the Church of North Macedonia stated that it recognises the Bulgarian Patriarchate as a Mother Church.

“Initially our Church intended to help with recognition, but because of the name issue, the process was delayed.”

On his part, Metropolitan Timothy of Debar and Kičevo stressed that there are some Churches that will not agree with the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“That is why we are looking for a way to be recognized by everyone, and not by individual Orthodox Churches. This is our wish, so we pray,” said Metropolitan Timothy.

Tags: Patriarchate of Moscow

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk on the WCC: Subject to Political Pressure – The Position of the Russian Delegation
Patriarchate of Moscow

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk on the WCC: Subject to Political Pressure – The Position of the Russian Delegation

July 1, 2025
Patriarch of Moscow: Once again, the blood of Christians has been shed on the streets of ancient Damascus
Patriarchate of Moscow

Patriarch of Moscow: Once again, the blood of Christians has been shed on the streets of ancient Damascus

June 22, 2025
Patriarch of Moscow visited Belarus – What he discussed with Lukashenko
Patriarchate of Moscow

Patriarch of Moscow visited Belarus – What he discussed with Lukashenko

June 7, 2025
Patriarch of Moscow: There is need for unity and synodality
Patriarchate of Moscow

Patriarch of Moscow: There is need for unity and synodality

June 2, 2025
Onufriy on the third anniversary of the 2022 Council: We possess all the marks of canonical independence from Moscow
Patriarchate of Moscow

Onufriy on the third anniversary of the 2022 Council: We possess all the marks of canonical independence from Moscow

May 27, 2025
Exclusive interview with Fr. Stefan Igumnov of Patriarchate of Moscow to OT: Our door was and remains open for dialogue with the Phanar
Patriarchate of Moscow

Exclusive interview with Fr. Stefan Igumnov of Patriarchate of Moscow to OT: Our door was and remains open for dialogue with the Phanar

May 27, 2025
Load More
Next Post
Bartholomew: It is the duty of the Orthodox Church to serve the cause of peace

Bartholomew: It is the duty of the Orthodox Church to serve the cause of peace

Latest News

Metropolitan of Ireland met with the Greek Secretary General for Religious Affairs

Metropolitan of Ireland met with the Greek Secretary General for Religious Affairs

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 20:02
0

Metropolitan Iakovos of Ireland met with the Greek Secretary General for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr....

European Parliament adopts resolution for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria

European Parliament adopts resolution for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 18:50
0

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria, following the...

UOC Hierarchs call on President Zelenskyy to reverse citizenship revocation of Metropolitan Onufriy

UOC Hierarchs call on President Zelenskyy to reverse citizenship revocation of Metropolitan Onufriy

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 17:25
0

In an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, numerous hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) have expressed their...

Greek PM at Ukraine Recovery Conference: ‘We are here also as defenders of values’

Greek PM at Ukraine Recovery Conference: ‘We are here also as defenders of values’

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 16:12
0

"We are here today not only as friends of Ukraine but also as defenders of values,” Greek Prime Minister...

Condolences of the Middle East Council of Churches to the Patriarch of Antioch

Condolences of the Middle East Council of Churches to the Patriarch of Antioch

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 13:54
0

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East received a delegation from the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council...

Archdiocese of Canada published special spiritual nourishment “QR Poster”

Archdiocese of Canada published special spiritual nourishment “QR Poster”

by NewsRoom
Jul 10, 2025 | 13:05
0

As another school year finishes for our youth and young adults across Canada, and as we look forward to...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

Terms Of Use

© 2025 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT