Lithuania puts travel ban on Moscow Patriarch Kirill

LRT:

Lithuania has banned Moscow Orthodox Patriarch Kirill from entering the country because of his support for Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The cleric was added to the list of unwanted persons on June 23, without any public announcement until now.

The Patriarch of Moscow will not be able to visit Lithuania at least until June 23, 2027.

Lithuania proposed sanctions against Kirill at the European Union (EU) level last spring, but he was removed from the EU’s sixth sanctions package adopted in June at Hungary’s insistence.

Earlier this month, Lithuanian Orthodox Bishop Ambrose travelled to Moscow to see the Patriarch, and said he received support for the Lithuanian Orthodox Church’s plans to secure greater autonomy from the Moscow Patriarchate.

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