Monks from the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius and parishioners of the Church of St. Paraskeva of Rome have appealed to Lithuania’s political leadership and members of parliament to reject proposed legislation they say could affect the rights of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church, its historic churches and monastic property.

According to the website of the Lithuanian Orthodox Diocese, the appeal follows two legislative initiatives introduced by conservative lawmakers Audronius Ažubalis and Arvydas Anušauskas of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats party.

Registered on October 16, the proposed amendments would change the rules governing state recognition of religious organizations and establish legal grounds for transferring several historic Orthodox churches to the Lithuanian Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, according to Lithuanian media reports and Church representatives.

The sites potentially affected include the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Vilnius, as well as the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Paraskeva in the capital and the Church of the Dormition in Vievis.

Monks and parishioners have stated that they do not intend to change their ecclesiastical jurisdiction or join the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. They argue that decisions concerning the Church affiliation of their communities should not be imposed against the wishes of the faithful.

“Such decisions cannot be imposed against the will of parishioners or under pressure on them,” the parish of St. Paraskeva said in its statement. Services in Lithuanian have been held at the church for more than 20 years.

Metropolitan Innokenty of Vilnius and Lithuania has also appealed to President Gitanas Nausėda, Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, expressing concern that the proposed amendments could conflict with constitutional guarantees and restrict the rights of Orthodox Christians.

At a press conference on October 20, representatives of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church described the initiatives as a threat to the community’s historical heritage and religious freedom.

Bishop Ambrosius of Trakai said the authorities had cited national security considerations to justify the proposed changes. However, according to the Church leadership, the necessity of introducing these specific measures had not been demonstrated.

The debate highlights tensions surrounding the legal status of religious communities, the ownership of historic church properties and the protection of freedom of religion in Lithuania. Church representatives have called on lawmakers to respect the wishes of Orthodox believers and safeguard their established ecclesiastical affiliations and religious heritage.