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Romanian church urges unity for Orthodox churches

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Romanian church urges unity for Orthodox churches
News

News

Romanian church urges unity for Orthodox churches

2018-10-26 22:05 Last Updated At:10-27 12:47

Romania's Orthodox Church has called for unity among Orthodox churches after a meeting to discuss a rupture between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

On Oct. 15, the Russian Orthodox Church announced it was severing links to the Constantinople patriarchy after the Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, considered the "first among equals" of Orthodox church leaders, said he was removing its condemnation of leaders of schismatic Orthodox churches in Ukraine.

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FILE - In this April 9, 2018 file photo, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Istanbul, Turkey. Ukraine's president says establishing a local Orthodox church won't prevent Russia-affiliated parishes from being able to operate, but tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (Mikhail PalinchakPresidential Press Service Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - In this April 9, 2018 file photo, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Istanbul, Turkey. Ukraine's president says establishing a local Orthodox church won't prevent Russia-affiliated parishes from being able to operate, but tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (Mikhail PalinchakPresidential Press Service Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - In this July 27, 2017 file photo, orthodox believers and clergymen march to prayer in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in observance of the holiday marking the adoption of Christianity by what is now Russia and Ukraine in the 10th century. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

FILE - In this July 27, 2017 file photo, orthodox believers and clergymen march to prayer in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in observance of the holiday marking the adoption of Christianity by what is now Russia and Ukraine in the 10th century. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

FILE - In this photo taken Saturday, April 7, 2018 head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onuphrius, lights believers' candles with fire which was delivered to the Ukrainian capital from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, after the ceremony of the Holy Fire, during the Easter service in the Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this photo taken Saturday, April 7, 2018 head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onuphrius, lights believers' candles with fire which was delivered to the Ukrainian capital from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, after the ceremony of the Holy Fire, during the Easter service in the Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this May 4, 2004 file photo, a full moon rises above the golden domes of the Orthodox Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties.(AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - In this May 4, 2004 file photo, a full moon rises above the golden domes of the Orthodox Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties.(AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, July 27, 2008 file photo, The thousand-year-old Monastery of Caves, the holiest site of Eastern Orthodox Christians, against the background of the Dnipro River, in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Sunday, July 27, 2008 file photo, The thousand-year-old Monastery of Caves, the holiest site of Eastern Orthodox Christians, against the background of the Dnipro River, in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Thursday Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, conducts a service at the Volodymysky Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Thursday Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, conducts a service at the Volodymysky Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

That was considered a major step toward granting full recognition to a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has been formally under the Russian Orthodox Church since the 1600s.

FILE - In this April 9, 2018 file photo, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Istanbul, Turkey. Ukraine's president says establishing a local Orthodox church won't prevent Russia-affiliated parishes from being able to operate, but tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (Mikhail PalinchakPresidential Press Service Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - In this April 9, 2018 file photo, Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Istanbul, Turkey. Ukraine's president says establishing a local Orthodox church won't prevent Russia-affiliated parishes from being able to operate, but tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (Mikhail PalinchakPresidential Press Service Pool Photo via AP, File)

In a statement Friday, Romania's Orthodox Church urged the Patriarchies of Moscow and Constantinople to promote "a unity of faith" that would also allow churches pastoral and administrative freedom.

FILE - In this July 27, 2017 file photo, orthodox believers and clergymen march to prayer in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in observance of the holiday marking the adoption of Christianity by what is now Russia and Ukraine in the 10th century. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

FILE - In this July 27, 2017 file photo, orthodox believers and clergymen march to prayer in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, July 27, 2017, in observance of the holiday marking the adoption of Christianity by what is now Russia and Ukraine in the 10th century. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

FILE - In this photo taken Saturday, April 7, 2018 head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onuphrius, lights believers' candles with fire which was delivered to the Ukrainian capital from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, after the ceremony of the Holy Fire, during the Easter service in the Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this photo taken Saturday, April 7, 2018 head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onuphrius, lights believers' candles with fire which was delivered to the Ukrainian capital from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City, traditionally believed to be the burial place of Jesus Christ, after the ceremony of the Holy Fire, during the Easter service in the Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this May 4, 2004 file photo, a full moon rises above the golden domes of the Orthodox Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties.(AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - In this May 4, 2004 file photo, a full moon rises above the golden domes of the Orthodox Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists will try to seize Russian church properties.(AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, July 27, 2008 file photo, The thousand-year-old Monastery of Caves, the holiest site of Eastern Orthodox Christians, against the background of the Dnipro River, in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Sunday, July 27, 2008 file photo, The thousand-year-old Monastery of Caves, the holiest site of Eastern Orthodox Christians, against the background of the Dnipro River, in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Thursday Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, conducts a service at the Volodymysky Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

FILE - In this Thursday Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, conducts a service at the Volodymysky Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. Tensions over the imminent formation of a Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow are raising fears that nationalists may try to seize Russian church properties. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky, FILE)

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday praised Montenegro for its progress on the path toward membership in the European Union, describing the small Balkan country as “one of the finest examples of the EU’s positive enlargement momentum.”

Costa spoke after meeting Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a tour of all six Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the 27-nation bloc.

Milatovic said Montenegro wishes to become the 28th member state by 2028, and pledged to keep up the pace of reforms.

“Our country is proud to have the status of a front-runner in European integration,” he said.

Montenegro and Albania have been at the forefront on the membership path while Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are lagging.

The EU’s willingness to accept new members has grown since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amid fears that the conflict could fuel instability in the Balkans.

Costa said the “enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans, and the whole of Europe."

Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan countries with just over 600,000 people. It has been a NATO member since 2013 when it defied Russia, its traditional ally, to join the Western military alliance.

Costa also visited Kosovo to urge top local officials to make “real and tangible progress” in the the dialogue to normalize ties with Serbia.

“This will come to the benefit of your European path and ultimately the lives of Kosovo’s people," he said at a news conference with President Vjosa Osmani.

The EU and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements reached two years ago that include Serbia’s obligation to provide de facto recognition of Kosovo and a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Most Western nations recognize its sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China don’t.

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

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