Lithuania: Constantinople Orthodox Christians plan to build own church

The new Lithuanian Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church plans to build its own church, possibly in Vilnius, BNS reports. Justinus Kiviloo, head of the exarchate, stated that he was “categorically against” taking over church buildings from the Russian Orthodox Church. He said that the funds to build the church would come from donations. Currently, the religious community gathers in prayer houses of various denominations. Kiviloo said that the exarchate was now focused on the registration of the religious community as a legal entity. The exarchate has ten clergy members and ten congregations in different towns and cities.