Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • A Zoom Retreat on “Pride” for Clergy Wives and Widows
    • Pascha With St. John of Shanghai
    • Over 200 Entered the Church this Pascha in Hatfield, UK
    • On the Unity of the Church: An Interview with Dr. Symeon Paschalidis
    • OCA Delegation Attends Funeral of Pope Francis
    • Another Joyful Milestone at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
    • The “Chernobyl Savior” Icon
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Governance & Unity News»Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest sanctioned for 30 years

    Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest sanctioned for 30 years

    1
    By Webmaster on January 24, 2023 Governance & Unity News, Governance Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

    Russian Orthodox leader Metropolitan Hilarion speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, on Sept. 6, 2021. (Photo: Screenshot from 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. / EWTN)

    On January 23, 2023, President Zelensky of Ukraine signed Decree № 26/2023 “On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions).”  https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/262023-45613  Attached to the decree are the names of 22 individuals, all of whom are representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.  Six individuals are sanctioned for 30 years, while 16 are sanctioned for five years.  See also https://lb.ua/society/2023/01/24/543485_zelenskiy_zaprovadiv_sanktsii_proti.html.  The first person on the list of those sanctioned for 30 years is Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), presently Metropolitan of Budapest and Hungary.  As is well-known, he was chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department of External Church Relations (DECR) from 2009 to June 7, 2022.   The current chairman of the DECR, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, is also sanctioned, but only for five years as opposed to 30 years for Hilarion.  Sanctions for five years were also imposed on Vladimir Legoyda, the spokesperson for Patriarch Kirill.  Hilarion is subject to 18 enumerated sanctions, while Anthony and Legoyda are subject to 14 sanctions.

    It is reported that 16 of the individuals were sanctioned based on the recommendations of the Security Service of Ukraine.  Metropolitan Anthony was on this list of 16 individuals.  Six additional individuals were added by the Cabinet of Ministers.  Metropolitan Hilarion was one of the six.    https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2023/01/23/7386192/  President Zelensky, in his television briefing on January 23, stated:  “Another NSDC [National Security and Defense Council] decision today concerns our spiritual independence, which we are strengthening and will continue to strengthen.  Sanctions have been imposed against 22 Russian citizens who, under the guise of spirituality, support terror and genocidal policy.”   https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/yizditi-za-kordon-iz-nederzhavnoyu-metoyu-posadovcyam-bilshe-80577   

    As was widely reported, Metropolitan Hilarion was subject to a sudden demotion on June 7, 2022.  He was removed from his position as chairman of the DECR and lost his position as a member of the Holy Synod.  He also lost all of the other important positions that he held.  The diocese that he now heads has a total of 11 active priests and five deacons.   http://hungary.orthodoxia.org/papsag/  It was a humiliating demotion.  In my report of June 12, 2022, I discussed the relevant facts relating to the demotion of Metropolitan Hilarion.  See https://www.unifr.ch/orthodoxia/de/dokumentation/anderson/  At the conclusion, I stated:

    When one considers the reason given to Metropolitan Hilarion for his demotion, namely “required by the current socio-political situation,”  the only likely “situation” relates to events in Ukraine.  The reference to “a very sharp turn” in the road likely refers to Ukraine, which has had a huge impact on the Russian Federation and the Moscow Patriarchate.  The fact that the demotion does not relate to the activities of the DECR or other institutions headed by Metropolitan Hilarion indicates that the demotion relates to the personal conduct of Metropolitan Hilarion with respect to Ukraine.  As many have observed, Metropolitan Hilarion has been very quiet with respect to Ukraine and has in no way endorsed the war there.   The sudden and surprising nature of the decision to demote him supports the theory that the decision was dictated by an authority outside the Moscow Patriarchate.    

    With respect to Zelensky’s accusation that Hilarion supports “terror and genocidal policy,” one should look at the interview given by Metropolitan Hilarion on January 29, 2022.  https://mospat.ru/ru/news/88917/  Hilarion stated in part:

    And in Russia, there are politicians who remind us that our country has never lost in any war, therefore, “whoever comes to us with a sword will die by the sword.”  First, let’s remember at what cost Russia won the wars.  This price is millions of lives.  Secondly, let’s remember that every war brings incalculable disasters to people. We must also remember that the outcome of the war is unpredictable.  Can we assume that Russia won the First World War?  Let’s remember with what enthusiasm Russia entered it, and what patriotic feelings accompanied Russia’s entry into this war.  Could anyone then imagine that in three years, Russia would collapse?.. For all these reasons, I am deeply convinced that war is not a method of solving the accumulated political problems. 

    Metropolitan Hilarion has now been in Budapest for almost eight months.  He communicates with the public frequently through his Telegram channel. https://t.me/s/MetropolitanHilarion   One can see by reviewing all of his entries since his arrival in Budapest (as I have) that he has addressed only strictly religious issues and has not discussed Ukraine at all.  Here, in my opinion, we have a prelate who has been exiled because he did not vigorously support the policies of the Putin administration with respect to Ukraine.  Yet now, he has been subject to sanctions, and in fact, the highest degree of sanctions, because he allegedly supports a policy of terror and genocide.  I can only shake my head in disbelief.  One simply wonders who can be advising Zelensky in religious matters.

    With respect to religious matters in Ukraine, the following are two analyses relating to draft law No. 8371 now pending before the Ukraine Rada.  https://spzh.news/en/zashhita-very/71469-shmyhal-bill-banning-the-uoc-in-4-moves ;  https://lb.ua/news/2023/01/23/543372_yak_derzhava_zaboronyatime_upts_mp.html  In my last report, I provided my own analysis.  https://ilsismografo.blogspot.com/2023/01/ucraina-problematic-new-draft-law-on.html   Reading the other analyses further confirms my belief that the ambiguities in the draft law raise major problems, such a need for definitions for the terms “affiliated” and “centers of influence.”

    Lastly, a delegation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is now visiting the Vatican.  https://www.pomisna.info/uk/vsi-novyny/vidbulasya-zustrich-delegatsiyi-vrtsiro-z-kerivnykamy-dikasterij-vatykanu/; https://risu.ua/vizit-vrciro-do-vatikanu-ye-nagodoyu-donesti-do-svyatishogo-otcya-franciska-golos-ukrayinskogo-narodu—glava-ugkc_n136120   From the photographs of the visit, I can identify as part of the delegation Metropolitan Epifany (head of the OCU), Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk (head of the UGCC), and Archpriest Mykolay Danylevych (deputy head of the DECR of the UOC).  It is reported that the delegation will be meeting with Pope Francis.

    Peter Anderson, Seattle USA

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleFleeting Charters, Chronic Problems: A Change in Mentality is Paramount
    Next Article New Serious Inter-Orthodox Problems at the Archdiocese and the Patriarchate

    Related Posts

    May 9, 20252 Mins Read

    A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos

    April 30, 20251 Min Read

    A Zoom Retreat on “Pride” for Clergy Wives and Widows

    April 30, 20254 Mins Read

    Pascha With St. John of Shanghai

    1 Comment

    1. Steph on November 19, 2023 3:54 pm

      I thought his demotion might have been due to the harsh view he took on Christians who chose not to take a vaccine cultured in aborted fetal tissue…

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Mihaela Hristodor on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    • Webmaster on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Joy smith on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Webmaster on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Gloria on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Webmaster on A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • Irvinjacksonjr on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • George Marakis on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Gerry Perdilas on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Lakis Velotris on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.