Crimean Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) made statements about Putin and the North Military District

Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov), the newly appointed head of the Crimean Metropolis, gave the first press conference since his move to the peninsula, during which he shared his impressions of his new place of work, plans for the future and thoughts on the course and prospects of the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation.

The difficult specifics of the bishop’s current career are eloquently illustrated by a fact that became clear at the very beginning of the bishop’s communication with the press: he was provided with security. Bodyguards, according to the new head of the metropolis, appeared “for the first time in his life.”

“The first few days (after moving to Crimea – MK) I was completely free, and then suddenly some difficulties became clear, some threats, etc., which led to me being transferred to the care of professional people, – said the Metropolitan. “Well, thanks to them. Everyone does their job.”

The proximity of a military conflict makes itself felt in another way. Tikhon said that when he last visited Sevastopol, “the bombing began there.” And he added: “God forbid, of course, what happens there… These are tragic times.”

But, despite the tragedy of the moment, the impressions of Crimea from the Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea are the most positive, if not enthusiastic: “I came here with joy and with great hopes. Of course, it is impossible not to love Crimea. This is one of the most beautiful places in our country “And that means – in the whole Universe… We don’t have another Crimea… So we have to live like this. We have to walk this path together.”

The head of the metropolis has a lot of plans. One of the largest is connected with Sevastopol, which Tikhon prefers to call in the old way: “I was instructed to do this in ancient Chersonesos… If, God willing, everything goes well, there will be an amazing, completely educational event for the whole of Crimea and for all of Russia.” , cultural, scientific, museum and educational complex.”

The Taurida Theological Seminary, currently located in Simferopol, may also be moved to Sevastopol. However, the issue is still under discussion. “Perhaps this seminary will be better off with this complex,” Tikhon shared his plans. “In any case, the practice for students will be unique.”

But the conversation, of course, was not only about plans and not only about Crimea. The bishop was also asked a question that can be called traditional, classic – whether he is Putin’s confessor.

The Metropolitan again confirmed that “by the grace of God” he is quite familiar with the current president: “It happens that I meet with him. This was before he became president. And for me this is both a great honor and a great responsibility. And an amazing absolutely an experience… This is simply one of the main meetings in my life.”

As for clergy, there is still no answer. But the point here, Tikhon explained, is not at all a matter of his secrecy: only the spiritual child himself can call a priest a confessor. “Therefore, if, God willing, I see Vladimir Vladimirovich, I will definitely tell him that Crimean journalists are also interested in whether this is so,” the Metropolitan promised. “And we’ll see what he says there.”

The ruler does not yet have an answer to the question of how the conflict with Ukraine will end. But there is hope for a favorable outcome of the confrontation for Russia, supported, among other things, by the optimistic predictions of a number of elders. And there is a firm conviction that Putin was right in making the decision to conduct a special operation: “This is truly a terrible and forced measure that was taken to protect our country.”

True, Tikhon drew a rather unexpected alternative to the special operation: “If, with the help of Ukraine, from which they made a whole projectile against Russia, we were forced into submission by those who started this fraternal bloody fight, then the next stage would be a war between Russia and China. And millions would have been sent there. This is what threatened us and still threatens us.”

The Metropolitan warns that one should not fall into smug moods. He himself is in a mood that is not only not sarcastic, but also, perhaps, quite sad: “Not everything is simple. We all hope for a favorable, prosperous outcome. And a favorable, prosperous outcome is the peace of God, which should reign in both Ukraine and in Russia. Only the Lord knows how it will be. You can’t do this with human strength after all the blood that happened… This is beyond human strength.”