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Russian Orthodox parish in Amsterdam seeks dismissal from Moscow Patriarchate over threats

This proposal will be presented to a special general parish meeting on March 26

HAGUE, March 14. /TASS/. The Russian Orthodox Parish of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam on Monday said it sought dismissal from the Moscow Patriarchate due to a threat to the parish and the clergy.

"During the meeting, the clergy unanimously announced that it is no longer possible for them to function within the Moscow Patriarchate and provide a spiritually safe environment for our faithful," the parish said in a statement following an extraordinary meeting of the parish council. "They have asked Archbishop Elisey to grant them canonical dismissal. They have also sent a request to Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) to be received into his diocese. The metropolitan has expressed his willingness to consider the request and will request a canonical release from Archbishop Elisey."

This proposal will be presented to a special general parish meeting on March 26. There will be no services in the church in the period leading up to the meeting.

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