Moscow, June 4, 2026
Photo: ruskline.ru
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has been assigned to serve in Brazil by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, issued yesterday, June 3.
Patriarchia.ru reports:
By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia of June 3, 2026, the retired Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), in connection with the impossibility, due to objective circumstances, of further carrying out the decision of the Holy Synod that had assigned him to serve at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary (Journal No. 141 of December 27, 2024), is directed to serve in the Argentine and South American Diocese.
“The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the city of Santa Rosa, Brazil, as well as the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in the city of Campina das Missões, Brazil, are designated as your place of service, where you are to reside,” the decree of His Holiness the Patriarch states.
The decision comes days after Met. Hilarion returned to Russia from the Czech Republic. On June 1, he concelebrated with Pat. Kirill at Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra on the feast of Pentecost.
Met. Hilarion had been detained by Czech police on May 24 after drugs were found in his vehicle. He was released on May 26 without charge, without bail, and without any additional conditions. The Metropolitan has denied any connection to the drugs, maintaining that they were planted in his car.
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