The well-known Russian Orthodox archpriest Alexei Uminski was removed from office by the Moscow diocesan court on 13 January after more than 30 years of service. The former head of the Holy Trinity Church in Moscow is accused of “breach of oath”. The courageous priest had refused to say the prayer for “Holy Russia” during the Divine Liturgy. Like other clergy who are critical of the war and not nationalistically orientated, he could not reconcile the prayer for victory through God’s power with his conscience. He has already been replaced by a new rector, Archpriest Andrei Tkachev, who unconditionally supports the position of his church leadership on the war issue.

According to reports from local human rights initiatives, there are dozens of cases of Orthodox clergy being persecuted for criticising the war. Under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church supports the invasion of Ukraine, which it glosses over as a defensive war in the fight for Christian values. Many Russians now perceive the church as part of the state apparatus. Official statistics reveal that the number of people attending church services is also falling sharply. There is now even a petition in favour of Father Alexei Uminski, which has already been signed by more than 12,000 people.