Constantinople elects another bishop outside its territory, for Lithuanian Exarchate

Istanbul, May 28, 2026

Photo: Romfea Photo: Romfea     

The Patriarchate of Constantinople has elected another bishop outside its canonical territory, appointing a hierarch to lead its Exarchate in Lithuania.

The decision was made on May 26, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Istanbul under the chairmanship of Patriarch Bartholomew, reports Fos Fanariou.

Archimandrite Panaret (Psaravatsis) was elected and will be given the title of Bishop of Tamisos upon his consecration on Sunday, May 31.

He had previously served as Grand Preacher and acting Exarch in Lithuania. He will now continue leading the Lithuanian Exarchate in the rank of bishop.

The Exarchate has its origins in February 2023, when Constantinople accepted clergy who had been defrocked by the Lithuanian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, the canonical ecclesiastical authority in the country. The Exarchate was formally established and legally registered in early 2024.

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5/28/2026

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