Russian Orthodox Church reports death of "warrior-monk" in Ukraine
ROC's Monk Pitirim (Vlasov) died in Ukraine with a weapon in his hands. Photo: Prihod
Clerics of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) are fighting in Ukraine with weapons in hand. The death of one such cleric was reported on March 14, 2025, by Archbishop Savva Tutunov, a vicar of Patriarch Kirill.
"Eternal memory to warrior-monk Pitirim," the ROC hierarch wrote on Telegram.
According to the Russian media outlet Prihod, the deceased Pitirim (Vlasov) was a monk of Raifa Bogoroditsky Monastery in the Kazan Eparchy.
It is known that he took monastic vows under the Lesser Schema on August 30, 2024, pledging to renounce worldly life. However, by the fall of the same year, Vlasov decided to volunteer for the war. It remains unclear whether the monk received the blessing of his abbot to leave the monastery and take up arms.
"While on the front lines, he fearlessly served his homeland and comrades in battle. During a combat mission, he sustained a fatal shrapnel wound," Prihod reported.
As a reminder, Patriarch Kirill previously told President Putin that the Russian Church fully supports the 'Special Military Operation'.
Read also
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."