Dismissed Orthodox official goes on offensive

A controversial Russian Orthodox cleric who was dismissed from his post has attacked Russia’s “immoral elites” and predicted a national catastrophe if the country fails to allow free public discussion, writes Josef Pazderka.

Fr Vsevolod Chaplin, who until recently led the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for cooperation between Church and society, also sharply criticised Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for failing to listen to critical voices and predicted that Kirill would be replaced soon. “We should not be afraid of getting into a conflict with those who have power in this world,” said Chaplin after his dismissal.

He claimed that “immoral elites” were hampering the nation’s development, and called for a stronger role for the Church in public life. His was one of the most high-profile and conservative voices within the Russian Orthodox Church. He described the Russian air strikes in Syria “a holy war”, defended the ideals of “Holy Rus” and called for stronger support of pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine.