Greek media accused Phanar of failures in foreign policy and crisis in global Orthodoxy due to the OCU

“Fanar is a complete failure!” This is the title of an article published in the Greek newspaper Orthodoxi Alitheia, which was republished by The Orthodox Times. The publication draws attention to the fact that the Patriarchate of Constantinople caused a crisis in world Orthodoxy due to the Ukrainian schism, thereby losing its influence over the Albanian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The article is published on The Orthodox Times website.

“In Ukraine, Epiphanius, the primate elected by Phanar, is struggling to maintain his position. In Jerusalem, Theophilus has been playing cards with the Russians for many years. Meanwhile, the Egyptians remain adamant in the dispute over ownership of the Sinai Monastery. Reading all this, what do you think unites the Ecumenical Patriarch and Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis? The same propensity for failure. There seems to be no other explanation for how so many important issues, vital to Hellenism and Orthodoxy, are being handled incorrectly. And where did the final blow come from, completing this picture of failure? From Albania. Only six months have passed since the election of a new archbishop in the neighboring country, and this Church is already openly flirting with Moscow,” – the author of the publication noted.

Special attention was also paid to the position of the Albanian Orthodox Church, particularly regarding the Ukrainian church crisis, which runs counter to the wishes of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The author noted that the Primate of the Albanian Church held a meeting with the head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, during which issues of mutual interest were discussed, including the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the participation of the OCU, created by the Phanar, in this process.

“Orthodoxy is boiling over the Ukrainian issue. Apart from the three Greek-speaking churches, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is becoming increasingly isolated, and Volokolamsk is taking advantage of this moment. The Russian Church is taking decisive steps to prevent Albania from slipping out of its hands. So far, Archbishop John has officially remained cautious, without revealing his position. However, sources suggest that after his visit to Constantinople, his next official destination will be Moscow — an event that will deal a serious blow to the Phanar. Albania is not Bulgaria; its symbolism is much more significant. But this is not just an inter-Orthodox struggle for power. Many observers note the slow but steady degreecization of the Albanian Church,” – the publication added.