Former head of DECR ROC, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), retired

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). Photo: Instagram screenshot

The former head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), has been retired. This decision was made at a meeting of the ROC Holy Synod.

The Synod's journals state that the hierarchs reviewed the findings of the Commission studying the situation in the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese.

The Synod resolved to release Metropolitan Hilarion from the administration of the diocese, temporarily transferring it under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailov. Metropolitan Hilarion was assigned to serve at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary.

Additionally, the Synod requested Patriarch Kirill to draw Metropolitan Hilarion's attention to the inconsistency between his lifestyle and his monastic and clerical status.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) was removed from his positions and relieved of diocesan administration in July.

Read also

US helps restore Orthodox church in Turkey after earthquake

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.

Kamianske Eparchy commemorates New Martyr Ioann Mohylevsky