Upon announcing his retirement, Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland delivered a poignant speech at his church’s General Assembly on 7.6. He touched on various topics, including the activities of the Patriarchate of Moscow.
The central theme of his speech was the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Archbishop Leo emphasized the importance of being compassionate towards those who are suffering, highlighting the need to choose between being a Good Samaritan or a bystander. He urged individuals to consider this decision in all aspects of life, not just within religious contexts.
He also discussed the current state of the Orthodox Church worldwide, expressing concerns about the crisis and division within the Orthodox family of churches. Archbishop Leo criticized the Patriarchate of Moscow for straying from true Orthodoxy and embracing ideologies that contradict Christian principles.
Furthermore, he raised alarm about the impact of Russian expansionism on Finland and the church’s response to events like the invasion of Ukraine. Archbishop Leo stressed the importance of unity within the church as a foundation for Christian action.