Moscow, April 9, 2021
Bp. Ignaty (Buzin) (left) and Bp. Ignaty (Tarasov) (righ). Photo: raskolam.net
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has confirmed the suspension of His Grace Bishop Ignaty (Tarasov), formerly of the Diocese of Kostomushka, and His Grace Bishop Ignaty (Buzin), formerly of the Diocese of Armavir.
Both hierarchs were removed from the administration of their dioceses in May and their cases were referred to the Supreme Ecclesiastical Court by order of Pat. Kirill. Early last month, the Bishops Ignaty were suspended by the Court for “ecclesiastical offenses incompatible with the administration of dioceses.” Their decisions were then sent to the Patriarch for confirmation.
The decisions enter into force from the moment of the Patriarch’s approval, reports the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Patriarch decreed that Bp. Ignaty (Tarasov) is to stay at Theophany Monastery in Chelyabinsk, under the supervision of the Metropolitan of Chelyabinsk, and Bp. Ignaty (Buzin) at Holy Trinity-St. Paul of Obnora Monastery of the Vologda Diocese, under the supervision of the Metropolitan of Vologda.
The Ecclesiastical Court had found Bp. Ignaty (Tarasov) guilty of conduct falling under Apostolic Canons 25 and 42, “which led to a significant disruption of diocesan life in the Diocese of Kostomuksha, previously entrusted to his administration,” and Bp. Ignaty (Buzin) of offenses falling under Apostolic Canon 25, noting that his actions “entailed significant disturbances in the diocesan life and caused deep spiritual harm to a part of the Church flock entrusted to him.”
Apostolic Canon 25 reads: “If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon be found guilty of fornication, perjury, or theft, let him be deposed, but let him not be excommunicated; for the Scripture says, you shall not punish a man twice for the same offense. In like manner the other clergy shall be subject to the same proceeding.”
Canon 42 reads: “If a bishop or presbyter, or deacon, is addicted to dice or drinking, let him either give it over, or be deposed.”
Pat. Kirill also confirmed the defrocking of Archdeacon Andrei Kuraev over the weekend, though he placed a moratorium on its implementation to give him time for repentance.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, Parler, MeWe, and Gab!
