Russia waging “war” against Ecumenical Patriarchate on U.S. soil

With the help of parishes under its influence, Russia is trying to create problems in the Archdiocese of America.  

That’s according to The Orthodox Times, Ukrinform reports.

“The autocephaly of Ukraine was a ‘childish’ confrontation considering the conflict that exists between the Phanar and Moscow. The ‘war’ has now risen to another level after the ecclesiastical ‘infiltration’ of the Russians in the USA. Confrontation with ecclesiastical and of course political implications,” the report reads.

This is the reason for the so-called “storm of reactions” to the decision of the Archdiocese of America to place Archimandrite Alexander Belia in the position of Vicar of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate.

It is recalled that the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate promoted Alexander Belia to the position of Bishop of Nikopolis after he was sacked in February 2020 from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Now “the Russians, with all the communities they influence, are trying to create issues for the Archdiocese of America.”

It is noted that the Ecumenical Patriarchate demonstrates support to the Archdiocese of America and its leader Archbishop Elpidophoros.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in late May, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine called on Ecumenical Patriarch Barthohlomew and heads of local autocephalous churches to condemn the spiritual crimes committed by the Russian Orthodox Church primate, Cyril, and dethrone him.