Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion Permanently Removed Amid Relationship Scandal
Previously chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations and widely regarded as a potential future patriarch, Hilarion was unexpectedly transferred to Budapest in June 2022.
In July 2024, reports surfaced alleging a close relationship between Hilarion and a subdeacon Georgios Suzuki, prompting his temporary suspension.
The Synod called for further investigation into Hilarion's behaviour, citing significant deviations from clerical expectations.
Hilarion was reassigned to the Church of St Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.
Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky was appointed interim administrator of the Budapest diocese.
Picture: Hilarion Alfejew, © wikipedia, CC BY-SA, #newsUncwjwtxze