Another priest defrocked in ROC for his refusal to read 'Victory' prayer

Father Andrey Kudrin. Photo: sotaproject.com

On July 10, 2024, the Diocesan Court of Moscow defrocked Father Andrey Kudrin, according to the website mir-vsem.info.

Father Andrey Kudrin is a regular cleric of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Life-Giving Spring" in Bibirevo (Moscow). For the past two years, he has been reciting a prayer for the reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Ukraine during the Liturgy instead of the officially prescribed Patriarchal prayer "for the victory of Holy Russia."

Earlier, in April, Father Andrey was suspended from clerical duties by an order of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow without stated reasons.

The priest provided the text of the decision from the Diocesan Court of Moscow dated July 10, 2024, which states: "In accordance with Article 45, Paragraph 3 of the Regulations on the Ecclesiastical Court of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate): it is recognized that on the basis of Canon 25 of the Holy Apostles, you are subject to defrocking (perjury - non-compliance with the instructions of the church authorities)."

The decision to defrock Father Andrey Kudrin has been sent for approval to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Father Andrey was born in 1972 and came to the Church at the age of 12. In the secular world, he received education as an architectural technician. During his 28 years in holy orders, he served in five Moscow parishes, where he led Sunday schools for adults, youth clubs, and Bible study discussions. Father Andrey's wife is a second-degree disabled person, and they have three children.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Kirill confirmed the defrocking of Father Alexey Uminsky.

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