Title: Russian Orthodox Church Punishes Priests for Praying for Peace in Ukraine
Subtitle: Defrocked clergymen face repercussions for advocating peace amid escalating conflict
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — In an act of defiance against the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the war in Ukraine, Rev. Ioann Koval led a service in a Turkish church after being defrocked for praying for peace. Koval’s decision to prioritize peace over the patriarch’s orders led to the removal of his priestly rank.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated when President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists. Moscow Patriarch Kirill subsequently instructed his clergymen to pray for victory. Koval, however, chose to alter the prayer, replacing the word “victory” with “peace,” declaring that it went against his conscience and rejecting political pressure from the church hierarchy.
Publicly advocating for peace in Russia comes with risks, as legislation passed shortly after Russian troops invaded Ukraine allows for the prosecution of individuals who “discredit the Russian army.” Critics argue that this charge is broad and applies to anything contradicting the official narrative, including social media posts or prayers in church.
The Russian Orthodox Church’s stringent hierarchy demands complete conformity from its clergy, with any dissent seen as a lack of loyalty. Andrey Desnitsky, a professor at Vilnius University, noted that those who refuse to read the patriarch’s prayer are deemed suspect in terms of their allegiance.
While most priests remained silent about the war, fearing repercussions from the church and state authorities, a minority spoke out. Only 300 of the more than 40,000 clergymen in the Russian Orthodox Church signed a public letter calling for peace in Ukraine. Natallia Vasilevich from Christians Against War emphasized the importance of every public voice opposing the conflict, as it breaks down the perception of the church’s monolithic position.
According to Vasilevich, since the war’s onset, at least 30 Orthodox priests have faced pressure from religious or state authorities for their anti-war stance. However, some cases remain undisclosed due to priests’ fears of further repression.
The Russian Orthodox Church justifies repressing priests advocating for peace by declaring their actions as political engagement rather than fulfilling their pastoral duties. Priests who support the war, on the other hand, face no repercussions and are even supported by the state, further demonstrating the regime’s interest in amplifying pro-war voices.
Priests who choose not to conform or remain silent may be reassigned, temporarily relieved of their duties, or defrocked, resulting in the loss of their income, housing, benefits, and connection to their congregations. Despite these consequences, priests like Rev. Ioann Koval and Rev. Ioann Burdin stand by their decisions, voicing their opposition to the war and refusing to support the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine.
In a surprising turn of events, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople restored Koval’s holy rank after he appealed the Russian Orthodox Church’s decision to defrock him. Koval can now serve in churches under Bartholomew’s jurisdiction. However, Rev. Burdin faced a ban on serving until he publicly apologized for discrediting the Russian army. In response, Burdin took his sermons to a Telegram channel, providing guidance to Orthodox Christians confused by the patriarch’s support for the war.
President Putin has significantly strengthened the Russian Orthodox Church during his rule, increasing its influence and power in society. In turn, the church has supported Putin’s initiatives, including the war in Ukraine. Priests blessing troops and invoking God’s blessings in military campaigns have become common sights.
Rev. Iakov Vorontsov, a priest in Kazakhstan, hoped the church would mediate the conflict, but when he saw no support from his superiors, he turned to social media. However, his anti-war posts garnered a hostile response offline, leading to multiple reassignments and a ban on giving sermons. Eventually, Vorontsov temporarily stopped serving in the Russian Orthodox Church, stating he could not be among those who supported the war.
The influence of Patriarch Kirill extends beyond Russia’s borders, with his orders even affecting priests overseas. Rev. Andrei Kordochkin at an Orthodox church in Madrid was suspended for three months for his anti-war stance, with the church accusing him of inciting hatred. Kordochkin insisted that he committed no canonical crime, suggesting that canon law was used as a political repressive mechanism.
Despite the risks, priests like Rev. Koval, Rev. Burdin, and Rev. Kordochkin emphasize the importance of speaking out against the war, highlighting their Christian duty to advocate for peace regardless of the consequences.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Russian Orthodox Church faces internal dissent as some priests defy its pro-war stance, raising questions about the role of the church in political matters.
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Associated Press journalists Iain Sullivan in Madrid and Vladimir Tretyakov in Almaty, Kazakhstan, contributed to this report.
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