Among the participants are so called “anti Westerners,” church diplomats of the Russian Orthodox Church, and supporters of the Russian world
In Vilnius, on April 25–26, the Vilnius–Lithuanian Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate (the so-called “Lithuanian Orthodox Archdiocese”) is holding a large-scale procession and an international conference dedicated to the 680th anniversary of the Cathedral of the Theotokos.
According to the published announcement, the conference will focus on the history and current situation of Orthodoxy in Lithuania.
Among the speakers and declared topics are such as “The Struggle for Orthodox Churches of Vilna after the Conclusion of the Union of Brest,” a report that will be delivered by a priest from Belarus, Aleksei Khoteev, a supporter of friendship with Russia who actively legitimizes the connection of Belarusian Orthodoxy with Moscow in his works.
A report on the policy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople toward Eastern Europe during the period of the weakening of Byzantium will be presented by church diplomat of the Russian Orthodox Church Filipp Vasil’tsev, representative of the Moscow Patriarch to the Patriarchate of Antioch, who closely cooperates with the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society led by former head of the FSB Sergei Stepashin.
A report on the transfer of the Kyiv Metropolis to the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate in 1686 will be delivered by Hegumen Antonii Gurinovich, a cleric of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Vilnius and a graduate of the Moscow Theological Seminary, who has not yet published works on the mentioned period.
Among the participants is also Ognen Vojdovich from Serbia, a publicist who holds a pro Russian and anti Western position and speaks on the topic of democratic rights of religious minorities in Europe.
Daniil Lepisk from Estonia, a bishop from Tartu, stated at the United Nations last year that the Estonian Church is being forced to sever ties with its canonical center in Russia. In his statements he has emphasized that his connection with Moscow is fundamental as part of his faith.
In the next publication, LF will present the main theses of the conference.
