Former head of DECR ROC, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), retired

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). Photo: Instagram screenshot

The former head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), has been retired. This decision was made at a meeting of the ROC Holy Synod.

The Synod's journals state that the hierarchs reviewed the findings of the Commission studying the situation in the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese.

The Synod resolved to release Metropolitan Hilarion from the administration of the diocese, temporarily transferring it under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailov. Metropolitan Hilarion was assigned to serve at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary.

Additionally, the Synod requested Patriarch Kirill to draw Metropolitan Hilarion's attention to the inconsistency between his lifestyle and his monastic and clerical status.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) was removed from his positions and relieved of diocesan administration in July.

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