Synod of Albania: Phanar reps persecute those who do not recognize the OCU

On September 11, 2023, the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church stated that some representatives of the Phanar are persecuting those who do not recognize the OCU.

The communiqué of the Synod states that the Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Elias Damianakis, did not hesitate to spread a shameful lie, claiming that "during the re-establishment of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, more than 250 churches were erected or restored with the efforts of international oligarchs."

“This is clearly unprecedented and dangerous disinformation,” to which the Albanian Synod responded. “However, this gentleman did not admit that he had disseminated fake news to support a malicious fabrication ... and did not offer any apologies,” the Synod emphasized.

Instead, the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is trying to argue that the reaction of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania was allegedly due to a mistranslation of the term "international oligarchs."

"With paradoxical audacity, in his subsequent post, he continues to berate the Holy Synod and provide further instructions," the communiqué states.

The Synod highlighted that these "texts were immediately published in Greek on the website of the 'Phanar Light' by another archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and a third archon, working in the inter-Christian council in Germany, rushed to comment on this publication in an offensive tone."

"This phenomenon is alarming. Some, in the well-known expression, 'have saddled the reed,' donned the cloak of nobility, and have become inspectors, prosecutors, and judges of local Orthodox Churches," the Albanian Synod wrote.

The Synod of Albania noted that the representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate "control, mock, and insult institutions, personalities, and church councils, showing no respect for church positions, academic prestige, and contributions to the life of the Church and society."

"How they persecute those who have a different position on the serious church issue of Ukraine does not correspond to either Orthodox ethics or the basic ethics of any dialogue. This new church tactic requires an immediate halt," emphasized the Albanian Synod.

The press service underlined that the "Albanian Orthodox Church is not under the influence of the Russian or any other Church and does not accept any external guardianship."

"Nor does it accept suggestions and lessons from unqualified controllers among the members of other Local Autocephalous Churches. It is enough to be inspired by the Gospel and act in accordance with Orthodox Tradition," the Albanian Church believes.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Phanariot website published an offensive article about the head of the Albanian Church.

Afterwards, the Synod of the Albanian Church called on the Phanar to evaluate the insults by its cleric, and later, the hierarch of Crete condemned his cleric who had insulted the Archbishop of Albania.

However, the cleric of the Phanar who insulted the head of the Albanian Church refused to apologize, and the Synod of the Albanian Church stated that the accusations of supporting Russian propaganda are "malicious, monstrous, and unbridled lies."