According to a press release cited by Replica Online, the Archdiocese of Tomis has withdrawn the double-headed eagle badges from sale and rejects any association with Russia or any other foreign country. subjects among other church subjects.

“The Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” in Konstanz has the status of a monastery, a unit subordinate to the Archdiocese of Tomis, but with its own legal personality acquired since 2001. Although it is understandable that a person who is not familiar with the basic elements of the Orthodox faith creates confusion between an archdiocese and a monastery, we find it interesting (and somewhat comical) that investigative journalism is unable to distinguish between the “Sfântul Hierarh Nicolae” shop of the Archdiocese of Tomisului (located on strada Archiepiscopiei, No. 23) near the storeroom of the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” monastery. Thus, the so-called “store of the archdiocese” (as presented in the article mentioned above) is actually a warehouse of this monastery, which is attached to the Archdiocese of Tomis,” the message reads.

The Archdiocese of Tomis says it has ordered the properties removed from sale to “avoid potential and unwanted inflammation of civic spirit.”

“The Tomsk Archdiocese today verified the information provided by the above-mentioned publication, the research commission found a breastplate with a double-headed eagle, which can be compared with the coat of arms of the Russian Federation. Although the double-headed eagle, as a heraldic symbol, does not belong exclusively to the Russian state, but to a much wider range of state and non-state identities, in order to avoid the potential and unwanted inflammation of the civic spirit, the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” removal of the badge with the corresponding symbol from among the objects , displayed in the bar,” the press release states.

The Archdiocese of Tomis clarified that it “resolutely” rejects any association with a foreign state.

“The Archdiocese of Tomis categorically rejects any association with a foreign state, regardless of what title it bears, considering as unfounded and offensive all statements of an accusatory nature spread about it and His Eminence Father Archbishop Theodosius on this subject.”

The Tomsk Archdiocese also declares that it supports Ukrainians who fled the war.

“Although the principle of prudence of a good deed is generally followed, in this exceptional situation the Archdiocese of Tomis is obliged to confirm that it has offered through its priests and settlements strong and constant spiritual and material support to the brothers of of faith and humanity in Ukraine, who fled from an unjust war.”