Abkhaz president asks Moscow Patriarchate to ordain Abkhaz bishop(updated)

Sukhumi, May 24, Interfax – Abkhaz President Alexander Ankvab has asked the Moscow Patriarchate to take the Abkhaz Diocese and ordain an Abkhaz bishop. “Even though we have deep respect for the Ecumenical Patriarch, Constantinople is still too far from us in many respects. Bearing in mind the fact that believers cannot be left without spiritual care and remembering the historical connections between Abkhaz and Russian Orthodox faith, I believe the Moscow Patriarchate should assume this high mission,” Ankvab said at the second Russian-Abkhaz humanitarian forum.