The Russian Orthodox Church has decided to cut ties with Patriarch Theodore II, head of the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate in Alexandria, following his decision to recognize Ukraine s new independent Orthodox Church.
The Russian church s Holy Synod ruled late Thursday to rupture all links with Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa. It noted, however, that it will remain in communion with those clerics of his church who didn t support the decision.
Father Poulos Halim, spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that there is a good relations between the Coptic and Russian churches and that the similar names of Pope Tawadros II and Patriarch Theodore II confused people to think the problem is with the Coptic church, which is not true.
