ROC clergy barred from speaking online without bishop's approval
Meeting of the Holy Synod of the ROC on October 22, 2026. Photo: patriarchia.ru
On October 22, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) approved a revised ordination oath prohibiting future clergy from speaking publicly online without ecclesiastical approval, the Moscow Patriarchate's website reports.
The amendment followed work by the Inter-Council Presence's Commission on Church Administration, Pastoral Care, and the Organization of Church Life on the topic "The Priest and the Parish on Social Media – Goals, Objectives, Methods, and Limits of Activity."
The following provision was added to the oath: "Not to speak publicly on behalf of the Church without the blessing of the ecclesiastical authorities; not to make statements in the media or online (including on social networks and other social media) that discredit the Orthodox Church or distort its teachings; and not to use the internet for personal gain."
The Synod also approved standardized ordination questionnaires for candidates to the priesthood and diaconate and ordered the development of a separate questionnaire for monastics.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the ROC had approved procedures for receiving members of Ukrainian schismatic religious groups.
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