Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Pavel, Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus
The Primate of the Belarusian Orthodox Church appealed to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople.
Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Pavel, Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus, called on Patriarch Bartholomew to suspend the process of granting autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church, reports “Interfax”.
At a press conference held on Friday in Minsk, the head of the BOC stressed that the acts of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine can lead to a split, which will be the terrible event.
“Our statement is designed to encourage and Patriarch Bartholomew and the Synod of the Constantinople Church to rethink decisions and make every effort to disavow or withdraw, to stop this process which is now taking distinct shape Church schism in the world Orthodoxy,” said Metropolitan Paul.
Exarch noted that the Belarusian Church, it was decided to suspend the service with the Constantinople bishops and participation in all activities where chaired by the representatives of Constantinople.
The Metropolitan stressed that this is not a gap, but a call, an attempt “to sober up the hot heads”.
Earlier, the Synod of the BOC, expressed his full support to his Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine Onufry – canonical Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and urged the clergy and flock of the Belarusian Church to pray for the admonition and repentance of those who provoke disorder and ecclesiastical schism.