The Council of Bishops decided to defrock Bishop Diomede, but gave him a chance to repent

On June 27, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to defrock Bishop Diomede (Dzyuban) of Anadyr and Chukotka. The majority of the Council participants voted for “defrocking” for disobedience to the clergy (three abstained). If the bishop does not repent before the next meeting of the Holy Synod, the decision will come into force.

Let us remember that Bishop Diomedehas repeatedly criticized the hierarchy.

Participants in the Council of Bishops condemned his activities as “containing a violation of canonical norms... and introducing temptation into church life.”

In addition, the council decided to defrock Igumen Ilia (Empulev), the author of the June appeal of the diocesan meeting of the Anadyr and Chukotka diocese. Three more clergy of the diocese - Archpriest Vladimir Mordvov, Priest John Balitsky, Hieromonk Anthony (Shlyakhov), who also signed this appeal, are prohibited from serving until repentance.

According to Credo.ru , 4 bishops voted against defrocking Bishop Diomede.

On the same day, the defrocked abbot Elijah (Empulev) was accepted under the omophorion of the Russian True Orthodox Church (RTOC).

On June 28, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, at a meeting on Saturday, removed Bishop Diomede of Chukotka from the administration of the diocese and banned him from serving in the priesthood. The reason for such a verdict was his disobedience to the clergy.

The hierarchs decided to send an official invitation to Bishop Diomede to the Synod.

The Synod appointed Archbishop Mark of Khabarovsk and Amur as temporary administrator of the Chukotka diocese.

Sources

• The Council of Bishops decided to defrock Bishop Diomede // Interfax-religion. 2008. June 27.
• The “Diomidites” picketing the CHS calmly accepted the news of the decision of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church MP on the case of Bishop Diomid // Portal-Credo.ru. 2008. June 27.
• The former secretary of the Chukotka-Anadyr diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church MP, Abbot Ilia (Empulev), came under the omophorion of the RTOC // Ibid.
• Bishop Diomede was removed from the Russian Church and banned from serving // Interfax-religion. 2008. June 30.