On Wednesday afternoon, September 4, a bullet hit the chapel of the Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The priests at the chapel, located at 4 Bokšto Street in Vilnius, discovered a broken window with a bullet lodged in the window sill.
Upon discovering the damage, the priests immediately informed the police, who promptly arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation.
Statements were taken from the priests, and authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident.
This incident follows the recent visits of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the country and the efforts to strengthen relations with the Lithuanian authorities.
In particular, on March 22, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed a cooperation agreement with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė to enhance relations and collaboration in various areas of mutual interest.
The agreement paved the way for the potential establishment of an Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Lithuania, a move supported by local Orthodox priests and believers.
The Ecumenical Patriarch stressed the significance of respecting freedom of conscience and religion, as outlined in the Lithuanian Constitution, the Declaration of Human Rights, and the Encyclical of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church.
Prime Minister Šimonytė expressed gratitude for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit and acknowledged its historical importance. She recognized the historical connections between the Lithuanian Orthodox and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, noting that recent geopolitical conflicts and Patriarch Kirill’s support for Russian aggression in Ukraine have made it challenging for some Lithuanian Orthodox to align with the Moscow Patriarchate.
She assured the Ecumenical Patriarch and local Orthodox Christians that the Lithuanian government would uphold the freedom of belief and religious rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision to reinstate five Lithuanian priests previously expelled by the Moscow Patriarchate, as a significant step towards restoring religious justice and hope for Orthodox Christians in Lithuania.
In a heartfelt letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė expressed deep gratitude for the Patriarch’s prayers and blessings, which have been a source of immense strength for Lithuania and its people. She acknowledged the Patriarch’s fatherly care for Orthodox Lithuanians and emphasized the significant impact of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s support in the country.
Prime Minister Šimonytė also noted the substantial progress in relations between Lithuania and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, stating that “the establishment of the Exarchate in Lithuania is a testament to our mutual commitment” and expressed hope for future cooperation.
Edited and translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
