The head of the Orthodox Church in America, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Alaska on August 15, apologized for the meeting.
The appeal of Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska was published on the website of the Orthodox Church in America, Radio Liberty reports.
In a statement addressed to Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the OCA, Alexei expressed his “sincere apology” to those who have experienced pain, suffering, or confusion in connection with his actions. The archbishop noted that he met with Vladimir Putin during his visit to Anchorage for a summit with US President Donald Trump, motivated by a desire for peace and a sense of hospitality. However, he acknowledged that many people criticized him for not directly addressing Putin about the need for peace in Ukraine. Archbishop Alexei emphasized that the official position of the Orthodox Church in America, which has consistently condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, remains unchanged.
“I am deeply sorry for the scandal that I have caused,” Alexei writes.