Russian Church defrocks the priest who recorded video with Wagner Group
Photo: Vitaly Beliaev. Source: Kazan Reporter
Priest Vitaly Beliaev has been defrocked by the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the Orthodoxy in Tatarstan website.
Patriarch Kirill of the ROC confirmed the defrocking of Beliaev. The church court's decision stated that Beliaev was removed from his clerical duties due to violations of canons 17, 25, and 27 of the Holy Apostles and canon 9 of the Second Council of Constantinople.
Beliaev came under the scrutiny of the Kazan Eparchy's church court in February 2024 after he recorded a video in Kharkiv Oblast against the backdrop of Wagner Group flags. In the video, the priest accused church authorities of trying to prevent him from "supporting the Russian military".
As previously reported by the UOJ, another priest was defrocked by the ROC for refusing to recite a prayer for victory.
Read also
In Kharkiv region, drafters detain UOC cleric of Izium Eparchy
The priest was held for more than 72 hours, then without explanation was taken to a military unit – there is practically no contact with his family.
His Beatitude: Theophany water drives away demons' dark force from man
In his sermon before the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, the Primate of the UOC highlighted the significance of repentance and the power of holy water.
Nun from Cherkasy monastery about raiders: They had completely wild eyes
Nun Nanna gave testimony in the Cherkasy court about the events of November 20, 2023 – the day of the violent seizure of the Nativity of the Virgin Monastery.
In Dnipro, TRC detains UOC priest to send him to front
A priest of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC is being held at a distribution center; believers are urged to support him with prayer.
Report: Number of Christians in Europe declines by 17 mln over past five years
A new report on the state of Christianity in Europe has recorded a decline in the number of Christian believers amid the weakening role of the church and migration processes.
Armenia to build the world's tallest statue of Jesus on Mount Hatis
The world's tallest statue of Jesus, standing 77 meters high, is being erected near Yerevan as a future pilgrimage center and a symbol of faith.