SYNOD OF LATVIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH RESPONDS TO ACCUSATION OF CHIEF OF SECURITY POLICE
Blagovest-Info, 13 January 2015
The synod of the Latvian Orthodox Church [Latviiskaia Pravoslavnaia Tserkov—LPTs] distributed a declaration in response to statements by the chief of security police, Normund Mezhvietis, who maintained that Russia uses the Orthodox Church for influence on Russian-speaking residents of Latvia.
"The Latvian Orthodox Church is independent and is guided by the law on the LPTs and other normative acts of the Latvian state; it does not engage in politics and, by virtue of its independence, it is not subject to any foreign or domestic political influences," the official declaration of the synod says.
The synod also declared that in performing its ministry, the church educates its faithful children in the Orthodox faith, in love for God and neighbor, and in love for the Latvian state and people.
"The Latvian Orthodox Church daily raises prayers for the Latvian state and its people," representatives of the synod of LPTs note. . . . (tr. by PDS, posted 13 January 2015)
Background article:
Latvian
official sees role of Moscow patriarchate in Russian foreign
policy
January 12, 2015
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