The priest who served the memorial service for Navalny is banned from serving

On April 15, 2024, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', by his decree, banned the cleric of the Moscow Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on Lyshchikova Hill, Priest Dimitry Safronov, from serving in the priesthood. The reason for the ban could have been refusal to read the prayer “On Holy Rus'” prescribed by the patriarch. In addition, on the fortieth day after the death of Alexei Navalny, he served a memorial service at the politician’s grave.

The ban is imposed for three years, without the right to give a blessing, wear a cassock and a priestly cross. At this time, the banned priest goes to the Church of St. Pimen the Great in Novye Vorotniki, where he will perform the duties of a psalm-reader.

“At the end of the period of penance, based on feedback from the place of obedience, a decision will be made on the possibility of his further priestly service,” the decree says.

Sources

• Decree No. U-02/77 of April 15, 2024 to Priest Dimitry Safronov // Patriarchy.ru. 2024. April 23.