ROC patriarch bans Archimandrite Kirill (Govorun) from priesthood
Archimandrite of the ROC Kirill (Govorun) (center) at a “service” with OCU clerics. Photo: Ivan Sydor’s Facebook page
On 25 September 2023, Patriarch Kirill of the ROC, by decree No. U-02/152, banned Archimandrite Kirill (Govorun) from priesthood, according to the website of the Moscow Diocese of the ROC.
The text of the decree states that Govorun repeatedly violated a “written pledge of loyalty to the ROC,” which “was expressed, among other things, in your concelebration with bishops and clergy of the Church of Constantinople, with which, by decision of the Holy Synod, eucharistic communion has been broken because of a flagrant intrusion into the canonical territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
The Patriarch of the ROC did not mention Govorun’s concelebration with OCU clerics.
The archimandrite’s case will be reviewed by the diocesan court of the Moscow Diocese. Pending review, Govorun was barred from serving, without the right to wear a cassock or a priestly cross, or to impart a priestly blessing.
By way of reminder, on 13 August 2023, Govorun served at St Andrew’s Church in Kyiv together with the Phanar’s exarch, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko).
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in 2020, Govorun served in the Warm Church of St Sofia of Kyiv with OCU “priests.”
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.