A delegation from the Church of Crete visited the Patriarchate of Constantinople to address the crisis issues that arose

A delegation of the Church of Crete led by Archbishop Eugene of Crete visited the Patriarchate of Constantinople on December 12. The visit took place against the backdrop of crisis-ridden internal church developments in Crete, caused by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Phanar to transfer Metropolitan Irineos of Lambia and Sfakia to the Metropolis of the Archdiocese of Moschonisi, leading to tensions and the need to reorganize the local church hierarchy.

According to Orthodoxtimes.com, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the constant and unwavering concern of the Church of Constantinople for its ecclesiastical dioceses in Crete. The Patriarch described the unbreakable historical and spiritual bonds between the Holy Center and the holy land of Crete, as well as its devout people, who have always been loyal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The delegation, in addition to Archbishop Eugenios, included Metropolitan Kyrillos of Hierapitnia and Sithia, as well as attorney Dimitris Milatianakis, who was chosen to serve as Archon Protekdikos Phanar and legal advisor to the Holy Diocesan Synod. Archbishop Eugenios briefed the Patriarch on current Church affairs. Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Grand Ecclesiarch Etios, director of the Patriarch’s private office, were also present at the meeting.

The delegation’s visit was the culmination of events that began following the decision of the Holy and Most Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to transfer Metropolitan Irenaeus of Lambia and Sfakia. This decision automatically created a second vacant metropolitanate, which reinforced the need to restructure the church hierarchy in Crete.

Recall, earlier we reported that the decisions of the Patriarch of Constantinople risk leading to a split of the Church in Crete. Some of the hierarchs do not agree with the personnel policy of Patriarch Bartholomew, in connection with which a protest potential against the Phanar is forming in Crete.