Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church: revolution in Africa and Crimea

There have been major changes in the Russian Orthodox Church. Photo: UOJ

On October 11, 2023, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church made several significant personnel decisions, some of which are directly or indirectly related to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Firstly, this involves the retirement of Metropolitan Lazarus of Simferopol and Crimea and the appointment of Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Pskov as his replacement.

Secondly, it pertains to the dismissal of Patriarchal Exarch for Africa, Metropolitan Leonid (Gorbachev) of Klin.

Why do we believe that these seemingly ordinary personnel changes are relevant to the UOC, and what do they reveal about the Moscow Patriarchate's attitude toward the canonical Church in Ukraine – we will discuss below.

Bad is the exarch who doesn't dream of becoming a patriarch?

Let's start with the African Exarchate. It was established on December 29, 2021, in response to the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) by the Alexandrian Church. In almost two years, its leader, Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, had been quite active in Africa, adding dozens of priests and parishes to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Meanwhile, the Alexandrian Patriarchate had deprived Metropolitan Leonid of his sacred rank (a move not recognized by the ROC). However, his position within the ROC seemed unshakable, and many believed it was only a matter of time before he advanced in his ecclesiastical career, perhaps even to the post of the head of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR). Therefore, his removal from the position of rector of the Church of St. Tatiana in Moscow and his recent dismissal as head of the Exarchate raised questions, leaving many puzzled and some in a state of hysteria.

The formal reason for such a decision, as stated in the minutes of the Synod meeting, was a request by Metropolitan Leonid himself, in which he mentioned "certain circumstances hindering the performance of his duties as Patriarchal Exarch for Africa." What these "circumstances" are remains unknown, leading us to suspect that there is another underlying reason.

Not too long ago, on many issues concerning the interests of the ROC, it was Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) rather than the Patriarch or the DECR head, who often appeared as the spokesperson for the Church. He appeared on television and in the press, and for many, he was the face of the Church. However, following the setbacks on the "Ukrainian issue" and various other "directions," Metropolitan Hilarion was transferred to Vienna, leaving a vacuum in the role of the Church's media representative. But this void didn't last long, as the creation of the African Exarchate drew significant media attention to another figure, Metropolitan Leonid. He is a young bishop, fluent in multiple languages, and his flamboyant statements garnered significant media interest.

He regularly appeared on national television, participated in political talk shows, and, in many respects, was perceived by Russian society as the ROC's chief spokesperson. He also became the leader of the ROC's patriotic supporters. He increasingly commented on ecclesiastical matters and ventured into areas outside his ecclesiastical competence. His statements were provocative, bordering on scandalous, following the rules of modern public relations.

For example, when addressing UOC hierarchs, he stated that they should be "swept away like garbage" for their betrayal of the Russian Church and the Patriarch. Later, he announced that they would "reclaim UOC dioceses as they advance in Ukraine." He used suggestive and vulgar insinuations in his rhetoric, such as "Hussars, be silent," and claimed that Ukrainian bishops "crawled on their knees in submission to the authorities." His flamboyant and inflammatory style earned him comparisons to Dmitry Medvedev, which did not reflect well on him or the Church.

Why was Metropolitan Leonid dismissed?

Believers and sensible people were puzzled – why is the Patriarchate silent? Why aren't they doing anything to somehow reason with the "star" bishop? Could it be that the African Exarch, with his extravagant statements, is articulating the true point of view of the ROC? As it turns out, that's not the case.

In our humble opinion, the removal of Metropolitan Leonid from the position of the head of the African Exarchate is not only a direct result of his activities but also a response from the ROC Synod to his public statements.

It's also a signal from the Synod to the entire media pool that had been broadcasting the bishop's views and to all the "church" radicals. This includes employees of the African Exarchate who, contrary to Patriarch Kirill's words, call on Ukrainians not to receive Communion in "non-commemmorating-the-patriarch" churches, label the Cathedral in Feofania as schismatic, and consider themselves the "voice of the unbroken Ukrainian Orthodox Church." The Patriarchate responded to them as well.

Moreover, it's not just our view, but also the view of these "church" radicals. They clearly understand that Metropolitan Leonid was removed due to his position on the war in Ukraine (Leonid was an ardent supporter of it) and his statements about the UOC. They realize that the measures taken against the flamboyant bishop could also affect them. Some of them openly ask, "So tell us, what exactly did he do wrong? We will probably need to correct similar things within ourselves because we genuinely don't understand what he might have done wrong."

For such people, it's not difficult to suggest "what exactly" needs correction. It involves changing their style and manner of communication, learning to respect the sacred rank of bishops and priests even when you disagree with their positions, learning to respect and love other people, listening to their opinions and their pain. Ultimately, it means learning to be true Christians.

What about Crimea?

The ROC Synod also retired Metropolitan Lazarus of Simferopol and Crimea, appointing Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Pskov as his replacement. It's worth noting that on June 7, 2022, the Crimean dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were transferred into direct subordination to Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, there have been no decisions by the Ukrainian Synod regarding changes in the administration of the Simferopol Diocese, or other dioceses in Crimea.

Furthermore, after the transfer, the UOC removed Metropolitan Lazarus from the ranks of its permanent members. This means that both the Crimean diocese and Metropolitan Lazarus are considered by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be their own. This situation results in a legal duality and a "conflict of interests."

How this conflict will be resolved remains to be seen. The Tomos granted by Patriarch Alexy states that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is entirely independent in its administration from the Moscow Patriarchate, as confirmed during the Synod in Feofaniya.

Furthermore, there is already a precedent in the case of the Berdiansk Diocese, where an "archpriest" was appointed by the Moscow Patriarchate within the jurisdiction of the UOC, while the UOC bishop, Ephrem, was still valid. These questions are still outstanding, and we hope to receive answers to them down the road.

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