The Ecumenical Patriarch called on the Slav-speaking faithful from Attaleia to remain united around their shepherd, Metropolitan of Pisidia, and the new Bishop of Evdokia, whom he ordained on Sunday. The Ecumenical Patriarch hoped that love and peace would be restored in the relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Russia.
In particular, the Ecumenical Patriarch ordained the newly elected Ambrosios as Bishop of Evdokia.
The Ecumenical Patriarch addressed Bishop Ambrosios, stressing that
the Great Church was particularly pleased for his well-deserved
promotion. Bartholomew added that the Bishop was then called to serve
the Metropolis of Pisidia and its faithful as Assistant Bishop to
Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia.
“You should follow the shining example of your Metropolitan. His
spirituality and zeal must be your source of inspiration. Try to make
His light shine in the spirit and the heart of the people, by implanting
in them the yearning for eternity.”
After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia said that
it was a special day because 100 years ago a very important figure for
the Church, Bishop Meletios of Patara, was installed in Attaleia as
Assistant Bishop.
“You shall stay united around your Metropolitan”
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
gave the bishop’s crosier, and spoke to the Slav-speaking faithful who
live in Attaleia, and are faithful in the Metropolis of Pisidia.
“It is a historic day for the community of Attaleia and the wider
region. My visit today coincides with an unfortunate situation in the
Orthodox world in general, and in particular the relations between the
Mother Church of Constantinople and its daughter, the Church of Russia.
Unfortunately, the Sister Church of Russia wanted to break communion
with us, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to show its disagreement with the
issue of the autocephaly status of the Church of Ukraine. We did not
respond. We did not sever communion ties with the Church of Russia,
since the Church is daughter of Constantinople. We will always love her,
no matter what happens, and today, as you all heard, I commemorated
Patriarch Kirill. It is both a temptation and difficulty that affects
all of us. However, we can overcome those hardships through common
prayer.
Unfortunately, the Church of Russia does not facilitate the
settlement of the disagreement. On the contrary, it creates other
additional problems by sending priests to officiate uncanonically in
various areas of Turkey. The same situation also arises in your own
area. In Belek there is a priest from the Church of Russia who
officiates the Divine Liturgy while everybody knows that Turkey is a
canonical territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” the Ecumenical
Patriarch said.
“I urge you to stay united around your Metropolitan Sotirios and the
new Bishop, Ambrosios, and listen to their advice. What I ask of you, as
your Patriarch, is to have unity and discipline in your Bishop,” said
the Ecumenical Patriarch.