An Orthodox university in Moscow refused to issue a diploma to a student who changed sex

The Orthodox St. Tikhon University for the Humanities (PSTU) did not issue a diploma in a new name to a student who changed sex during her studies. The university administration opposed this practice.

The rector of PSTGU, Archpriest Vladimir Vorobyov, explained that the university accepts baptized students who are taught and known under a certain name. “And now, when she changed her name, the question arises, and the one whom she names, who is he, what kind of person is baptized – unbaptized? Did we teach him? No, we did not teach this, we do not know such a person. How can we give her our diploma, a diploma from an Orthodox university?” asked Mr. Vorobyov on the sidelines of the Hippocratic Medical Forum (quote from TASS).

Journalists asked the rector if this student was a believer. He replied that she was a believer when she entered, but later “something happened” to her. “Probably, it is better to give a diploma from an Orthodox university to an Orthodox person. That was a girl, and now who should we give the diploma to? – said Vladimir Vorobyov.

The rector called the student’s decision to change sex some kind of provocation and unnatural thing. On behalf of the Orthodox Church, he expressed his unwillingness to participate in such stories. “Not because I want to make trouble for someone – I have to protect my university, you understand? And so, what, they will say: the Orthodox University recognizes all such cases ?! added the archpriest.

On February 6, Novaya Gazeta reported on this incident. Europe”, however, it was not specified which university was discussed. Following this, the chairman of the educational committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, said that the decision rests with the university. However, he stressed that he supports the position of the administration.

Lusine Balasyan