Letter from the archbishop

Ecumenical Patriarchate Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe
Communiqué from the Archbishop's Office:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

we inform you that our Archdiocese-Exarchate under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is in full communion with the whole Orthodox Church. Indeed, the Ecumenical Patriarchate did not break communion with the Patriarchate of Moscow and continues to commemorate it according to the order of the diptychs.

All the Orthodox faithful can therefore participate fully in the liturgical and sacramental life of our parishes.

We invite all the priests, deacons, monks, nuns and faithful of our Archdiocese- Exarchate to pray for the unity of the Church, and we ask the priests and deacons to include and pronounce audibly at the end of the litany of fervent supplication during the liturgy, the following prayers inspired by Archimandrite Sophrony.

Prayer for the unity of the Church:

Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, give us the strength to love as Thou has commanded us.
As Thou has said to thy disciples, "Love one another, as I have loved you,” give us the grace and wisdom to fulfil this commandment every day.
Through Thy Holy Spirit, give us the courage to humble ourselves in front of others, understanding that the one who loves more also humbles himself more.
Teach us to pray for each other and to bear each other's burdens patiently; by the bond of an unwavering love unite us around our patriarchs and bishops like the docile sheep of a single flock gather around their shepherds whom they love.
Grant us to see in each of our brothers and in each of our sisters the image of Thine ineffable glory, and never forget that our brothers and sisters are part of our own life.
Place us under the protection of Thy Most Holy Mother, Thy Forerunner John the Baptist and all our venerable Doctors, Fathers, Mothers and Confessors of the Faith. Amen.