A key public representative of the Russian Orthodox Church has been dismissed from his post after a clash with the Patriarch of Moscow over Church-state relations.
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, who was removed from his position as chairman of the Russian Orthodox Synod’s department for Church and Society, explained that he had “tried to say that we should be more critical of immoral actions taken by authorities.”
The outgoing Orthodox leader—who has developed a reputation for blunt speech—went on to say that the Moscow Patriarchate “should in no case suck up to structures that challenge Orthodox faith.” Regarding Patriarch Kirill, he said that “I don’t think he is competent on all issues and can take certain decisions alone.”
Complaints about Patriarch Kirill’s tight control over the Russian Orthodox hierarchy have surfaced elsewhere, with similar results. The dismissal of Archpriest Chaplin comes shortly after the editor of the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchated, Sergei Chapnin, was ousted, having complained about the “new silence” that the Patriarch has enforced on the Orthodox clergy.
Archpriest Chaplin said that his dismissal would allow him to “get a breath of fresh air.” He will be replaced by Vladimir Legoyda, who has been a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Synod, and will now head a restructured department of Church, Society, and Media.
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