Analysts believe that the hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan of France Emmanuel (Adamakis), is becoming the main contender to replace the 80-year-old Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Telegram channel “Religion Today” writes.
“Metropolitan Emmanuel (Adamakis) leaves Europe and goes to Constantinople, becoming the elder-metropolitan of Chalcedon. For our part, we note that for Adamakis, this is a clear advancement in the church career, since the “Elder” see of Chalcedon is the second most honored after the Constantinople archdiocese headed by the patriarch. Also, at divine services, it is the “Elder-metropolitan of Chalcedon” who takes second place after the patriarch.
In fact, this means that Met. Emmanuel Adamakis becomes the main contender to replace the 80-year-old patr. Bartholomew. If Adamakis nevertheless heads the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the future, this means only one thing for the Russian Orthodox Church – relations with Constantinople will continue to deteriorate, since Adamakis is known for his tough anti-Moscow stance,” writes the Telegram channel.