Russian Priest Ioan Koval deprived of rank by Patriarch Kirill 2023.06.28
Russian Priest Ioan Koval deprived of rank by Patriarch Kirill
Patriarch Bartholomew Reinstates Russian Orthodox Priest
Abstract
Russian Priest John Koval has been reinstated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Formerly a cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church, Father John Koval was defrocked for praying for peace instead of a military victory amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Patriarchate of Constantinople declared the Russian Orthodox Church’s decision to defrock him as non-canonical, viewing it as politically driven rather than based on ecclesiastical principles.
Father John, previously serving at the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Moscow’s Lublin district, altered a prescribed prayer known as the “Prayer for Holy Russia,” which is read in all Russian Orthodox churches in connection with the war. Instead of praying for victory, Father John prayed for peace, replacing the words “Arise, O God, to help your people and grant us victory by your power” with “Arise, O God, to help your people and grant us peace by your power.”
This modification led to disciplinary action by the Russian Orthodox Church. Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin, Deputy Chairman of the Diocesan Court of the Moscow Diocese, confirmed to the publication Pravmir that Father John’s defrocking was a direct result of his refusal to follow the hierarchy’s prescribed wording. Tsypin described the priest’s actions as “perjury” due to his failure to adhere to the church’s official directives.
In response, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, led by Patriarch Bartholomew, officially restored Father John’s clerical status and accepted him under its jurisdiction. This decision highlights the ongoing tensions between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In 2018, the Russian Orthodox Church severed ties with the Patriarchate of Constantinople after the latter initiated the process of granting autocephaly (independence) to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Russian Church viewed this move as a violation of its authority, while the Patriarchate of Constantinople maintained its position as the senior authority in the Orthodox Christian hierarchy.
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The reinstatement of Father John underscores the broader geopolitical and ecclesiastical conflicts between the two bodies. The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision not only challenges the Russian Orthodox Church’s actions but also affirms its stance on political neutrality within ecclesiastical matters. By reinstating Father John, the Patriarchate reinforces the principle that clerical discipline should adhere strictly to canonical laws and not be influenced by political agendas.
Father John’s case also sheds light on the risks faced by clergy who deviate from prescribed practices in contexts of political and military conflict. His prayer for peace, though seemingly a spiritual and moral stance, was interpreted by the Russian Orthodox Church as a direct challenge to its alignment with the state’s objectives in the Ukraine conflict. This situation raises broader questions about the role of religious institutions and leaders in politically charged environments and their ability to navigate between spiritual obligations and external pressures.
As the reinstatement reverberates across the Orthodox Christian world, it may deepen the existing divide between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The act also signals Constantinople’s commitment to upholding ecclesiastical integrity and supporting clergy who prioritize peace over political conformity.
In a time of global instability, Father John’s reinstatement serves as a reminder of the potential for faith leaders to advocate for peace, even in the face of institutional resistance. The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision not only restores the clerical status of one individual but also sends a broader message about the Church’s role in fostering reconciliation and unity amidst division and conflict.
Source:
Radio Svoboda
https://www.svoboda.org/a/konstantinopoljskiy-patriarhat-vernul-san-svyaschenniku-molivshemu-o-mire/32481080.html
Nicolaos AA Cheropoulos
Father of Anthoula and Alexandra
Stockholm, Jun. 2023
Reviewed Oct. 2023
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