Statement of Apology of His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska
His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon has received the following statement from His Eminence Archbishop Alexei concerning recent events that took place within the Diocese of Alaska.
His Beatitude adds the following clarification:
“The encounter to which His Eminence Archbishop Alexei refers in his statement of apology was undertaken on his own initiative and was not authorized by the Holy Synod. The canonical tradition insists that a bishop do nothing without the knowledge of the metropolitan; this meeting was arranged without my knowledge. His Eminence has taken responsibility for his actions, and I wish to affirm that they do not represent the official position of the Orthodox Church in America with respect to external relations. From the very beginning, the Orthodox Church in America has been among the first Orthodox Churches to clearly and repeatedly condemn the aggression against Ukraine, which has caused the loss of countless lives, untold suffering, and the displacement of millions. We have consistently raised our voices against violence, prayed for peace in our liturgical services, and provided support for those displaced by the war. In all of my public statements, including during my primatial visit to Ukraine last year, I have expressed the prayerful support of the Orthodox Church in America for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the entire Ukrainian people. Together with my brother hierarchs on the Holy Synod, I renew my fervent appeal for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for peace to prevail, so that reconciliation and healing may begin for all who have been afflicted by this tragic war.”
I wish to express my sincere apology to those who have experienced pain, suffering, or confusion because of my actions in recent days. I am deeply sorry for the scandal that I have caused. My actions in no way indicate a change in the position of the Orthodox Church in America and our support for those suffering as expressed in Synodal documents (Statement on Ukraine and Statement on war in Ukraine).
As Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, I serve as a member of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. As such, I adhere to the guidance and pastoral counsel of the Holy Synod concerning this tragic war, and I seek to lead the faithful of Alaska in prayer and works of mercy for all who suffer. The Diocese of Alaska is one of the dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America, an autocephalous Church whose mission extends from the Arctic Circle to Central America and embraces many peoples, cultures, and languages.
Last week, I greeted President Vladimir Putin during the summit in Anchorage in a peaceful spirit of hospitality after three days of diocesan wide prayer for peace. Since then, I have heard from many who viewed that moment as a missed opportunity for a rebuke or demand for peace amid ongoing conflict and suffering. Again, I repeat, to all who experienced my actions as a cause of sorrow or confusion, I sincerely ask your forgiveness.
I accept full responsibility for the confusion and pain my actions caused. Our Church continually calls the faithful to prayer, to concrete works of mercy, and to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation for all who suffer. In Alaska we have sought to bear witness to this by dedicating days of prayer, invoking the intercessions of the saints who labored in this land, that peace may be restored swiftly and mercy shown to all.
I ask forgiveness of all whom my actions have wounded or troubled, especially those who have lost loved ones. May Christ, the Prince of Peace, swiftly end the bloodshed, comfort the bereaved, return the displaced, and reconcile hearts in truth and love.