Russian Orthodox Church commissions internal trial against gay hieromonk

The bishop of the Diocese of Samara and Syzran Metropolitan Sergius has commissioned a church trial against hieromonk Amfian, who was recently outed publicly as a homosexual. The Diocese also stated that hieromonk Amfian has been removed from active church service.

On September 17, the publication The Togliatti Room published a report stating that hieromonk Amfian (whose legal name is Artem Vechelkovsky) is openly gay. The report included Vechelkovsky's thoughts on whether homosexuals can serve in the Church: "It's a tough question. There's no canon to answer it. Personally, I think it's necessary to reexamine the Church's attitude toward homosexuality. Yes, I'm gay myself, so it's hardly my place to condemn anyone on this issue."

The day after this story was published, Vechelkovsky confirmed that he did speak to a correspondent from The Togliatti Room, but he thought his remarks about being gay were off the record. He also added that he never hid his sexual orientation, while teaching for a decade at the Samara seminary school. Vechelkovsky says both the students and the administration were aware that he is gay.

Vechelkovsky says he left seminary school this June, following what was the latest complaint from a student about harassment. He says he received complaints like this throughout his career.

"I repeat: there was no priest's 'coming out.' I don't consider myself a priest and I don't associate myself with the Church. Today I am a completely private, unremarkable individual—a lone citizen of our unfortunate country," Vechelkovsky said.