By decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which met in Moscow today under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk no longer heads the Synodal Department for External Church Relations.
His Eminence will also no longer serve as a permanent member of the Holy Synod or as rector of the Church’s Sts. Cyril and Methodius Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies program.
He has served as head of the DECR and permanent Synod member since 2009.
According to the Synodal resolutions, Met. Hilarion is being sent to administer the Diocese of Budapest and Hungary, a position he previously held from May 2003 to March 2009.
Met. Hilarion is replaced in the DECR and on the Holy Synod by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Korsun, the Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe. Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Church’s Educational Committee, is appointed rector of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius program.
I had heard a few rumors that Hilarion was somewhat less than full throated in his support for the ROC's policy of acting as Putin's clerical bootlickers. But I honestly didn't see this coming.
HT: Dr. Tighe.
If he was sacked it seems he could have done far worse. He's being transferred to one of Putin's few European allies. I'm sure this met with the Dictator's approval. Maybe not a promotion but not really a demotion.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a demotion. As for why Hungary; my guess is that it is precisely because it's one of the few countries in Putin's corner. Much easier to keep tabs on him and if he causes any (more?) trouble, put him on a plane back to Moscow.
ReplyDelete