An Orthodox priest, in protest against the conviction of M. Khodorkovsky, refused to consecrate a prayer room in the colony

Orthodox clergyman Sergei Taratokhin refused to consecrate the prayer room in the colony of Krasnokamensk, where M. Khodorkovsky is being held. The priest considers Khodorkovsky's case a political one and thus decided to express his protest against the conviction of the former head of Yukos. However, Bishop of Chita and Trans-Baikal Evstafiy, in an interview with an Interfax correspondent , stressed that the Church has a different opinion. "The clergyman has already repented of his deed, and the prayer room in the colony will certainly be consecrated," the bishop said.

portal On November 24, the Religion and Mass Media (with reference to Polit.Ru and the newspaper Zhizn) reported that Fr. Sergius is threatened with defrocking. According to the newspaper, the priest learned about this during a meeting with Bishop Evstafiy of Chita and Transbaikal.

"The news of my defrocking is like a bolt from the blue for me," Father Sergius declared.

Later, Interfax, citing the newspaper Life , reported that the parishioners sent a letter to the diocese in defense of Fr. Sergius. The bishop decided not to defrock the priest, but perhaps the priest will be transferred to another parish.

Sources

• The priest refused to consecrate the prayer room in the colony where Khodorkovsky is being held // Interfax. 2005. November 10.
• A priest who refused to consecrate a prayer room in the colony where Khodorkovsky is imprisoned could be defrocked // Religion and Mass Media. 2005. 24 November. (With reference to Polit.Ru and the newspaper Zhizn.)
• The priest of the Chita diocese will not be defrocked for supporting Khodorkovsky // Interfax-religion. 2005. December 9th.