The Orthodox Church in America has issued an apology for a meeting between one of its hierarchs and the President of Russia

The press service of the Orthodox Church in America published an apology for the meeting between Archbishop Alexy, head of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place on August 17, 2025. The OCA notes that Archbishop Alexy’s actions were not coordinated with the Synod, do not correspond to the official position of the Church, and contradict the OCA’s general attitude toward the Russian-Ukrainian war. The text is published on the OCA website.

“The meeting, which His Eminence Archbishop Alexy mentions in his statement of apology, was organized on his own initiative and was not authorized by the Holy Synod. Canonical tradition requires that a bishop take no action without the knowledge of the metropolitan; this meeting was organized without my knowledge. His Eminence has taken responsibility for his actions, and I want to confirm that they do not reflect the official position of the Orthodox Church in America on external relations. From the outset, the Orthodox Church in America has been one of the first Orthodox churches to clearly and repeatedly condemn the aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted in countless deaths, unspeakable suffering, and the displacement of millions. We have consistently spoken out against violence, prayed for peace in our services, and provided support to those displaced by the war. In all my public statements, including during my visit to Ukraine last year, I expressed my prayerful support for the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the entire Ukrainian people. Together with my brother hierarchs of the Holy Synod, I again appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace, so that a process of reconciliation and healing may begin for all who have suffered from this tragic war,” – said Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington, Primate of the OCOC, in the text of the statement.

At the same time, Archbishop Alexy himself, in his apology, wrote that the statement about what happened should not become a cause of temptation for believers. The hierarch asserts that his behavior does not represent a change in the OCA’s position on the war in Ukraine.

“I want to express my sincere apologies to those who have experienced pain, suffering, or confusion because of my actions in recent days. I deeply regret the scandal I have caused. My actions in no way signify a change in the position of the Orthodox Church in America and our support for those who suffer, as expressed in the documents of the Holy Synod (Statement on Ukraine and Statement on the War in Ukraine).

As Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, I am a member of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, presided over by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. In this capacity, I follow the guidance and pastoral advice of the Holy Synod regarding this tragic war and strive to lead the faithful of Alaska in prayer and works of mercy for all who suffer. The Diocese of Alaska is one of the dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America, an autocephalous Church whose mission extends from the Arctic Circle to Central America and encompasses many peoples, cultures, and languages.

Last week, I greeted President Vladimir Putin at the summit in Anchorage in a spirit of peaceful hospitality after three days of diocesan prayer for peace. Since then, I have heard from many who considered this moment a missed opportunity for rebuke or demands for peace amid ongoing conflict and suffering. Once again, to all who perceived my actions as a cause for sadness or confusion, I sincerely apologize.

I take full responsibility for the confusion and pain my actions caused. Our Church constantly calls on believers to pray, to perform specific acts of mercy, and to strive for peace and reconciliation for all who suffer. In Alaska, we sought to bear witness to this by dedicating days to prayer, invoking the intercession of the saints who labored on this land, that peace might be quickly restored and mercy shown to all.

I apologize to all those whom my actions have offended or upset, especially those who have lost loved ones. May Christ, the Prince of Peace, put an end to the bloodshed as soon as possible, comfort the bereaved, return the refugees, and reconcile hearts in truth and love,” – the hierarch commented.

Earlier, Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA published a statement condemning the recent meeting between the hierarch of the Orthodox Church in America and the Russian president during his visit to North America. According to the archbishop, such actions are “a betrayal of the Gospel of Christ” and “caused deep sadness and righteous indignation” among Ukrainian church hierarchs, in particular in a joint position with Metropolitan Anthony.