Metropolitan Emmanuel of Gaul (the Church of Constantinople), speaking at the constituent assembly of the vicariate of Russian parishes, which became part of the Metropolis of the Phanar in France, admitted that the last two years have been an expensive price for its founders. The hierarch’s speech is published in the July 2020 issue of La Lettre du Vicariat.

“I know how difficult the last two years have been. The rifts took place in parishes, communities, and also in families. You can be sure that I am sorry for the pain and suffering you have endured. Unfortunately, it was a high price to pay to defend a truly “universal” orthodoxy, including, respecting its local rules, independent of ethnic issues, simply respecting its history and its traditions”, the metropolitan noted.

Also he said that Constantinople “has always cared about the preservation of the many liturgical and spiritual traditions that make up the wealth of Orthodoxy, and that “there is your history, the history of your fathers, immigrants who fled from the bolshevik revolution, who, in the greatest poverty here in France, built this Archdiocese headed by with Vladyka Eulogius… The contribution of these men and women, witnesses of Orthodoxy, free from any attraction, open and evangelical, which today allows us to greet all Orthodox Christians, regardless of their origin, is invaluable”.

According to the hierarch of the Phanar, “we cannot ignore the connection established with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which dates back to 1931, almost 90 years ago. We have a common history, which, of course, was not always linear, but thanks to the protection and wide internal autonomy offered by the Holy Throne, it helped the exarchate to witness here in the West the Word of God in the context of complete freedom from external influences”.

Metropolitan Emmanuel assured that the Metropolis in France guarantees to the Russian vicariate autonomy in government and pastoral autonomy, as well as the preservation of the liturgical and spiritual tradition from the entire mentioned heritage in order to continue the work of the Orthodox witness in the Western communities.

On July 4, in the suburb of Paris Meudon, was held a constituent assembly of the vicariate of the Russian parishes that became part of the Metropolis of the Phanar in France. More than 50 people participated, representing a little more than 20 parishes. Also, shortly before the constituent assembly, another French-speaking parish of supporters of the Church of Constantinople was organized.