The Russian Orthodox Church fires its spokesman

Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, the Russian Orthodox Church's outspoken spokesperson, has been dismissed from his position, according to the news agency Interfax. Chaplin has refused to comment.

According to RIA Novosti, the Moscow Patriarchate Synodal Department is combining Chaplin's department with another branch, putting both offices under the management of Synodal Information Department head Vladimir Legoyda.

Chaplin was the Church's spokesman since 2009, becoming a nationally known figure for his prominent media presence.