The decision to dethrone five former clergymen of the Orthodox Church in Lithuania (Vilna diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church) has finally entered into force. It was approved, in accordance with the Regulations on the Church Court, by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Pravlife writes.

Decrees on the defrocking of Vitaly Mockus, Vitaly Dauparas, Georgy Ananiev and Vladimir Selyavko were signed on June 29, 2022 by the ruling bishop, Metropolitan of Vilna and Lithuania Innokenty. A week earlier, by his decree, Gintaras Sungaila had been deposed from the priesthood.

Earlier, the church court, having carefully examined the actions and public statements of the clergy, confirmed the facts of their committing serious canonical crimes. Including schismatic actions to create a parallel church structure in Lithuania under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and a campaign unleashed in the media and social networks to discredit the Orthodox Church in Lithuania using anti-war rhetoric.

As Metropolitan Innokenty stated, the priesthood has been removed from the clergy and there is no turning back, but the doors of all Orthodox churches in Lithuania are still open for them, where they can receive communion as laymen.

“I continue to pray for them. I also asked all our clergy to show Christian love and join this prayer, to strengthen it – after all, we are talking about the fate of our brothers in eternity, ”the diocesan website quotes the words of Vladyka.