Foreign agent Kuraev announced his restoration to the rank of the Church of Constantinople

Protodeacon Andrei Kuraev (recognized as a foreign agent) published a decree of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on reinstatement. He was also included among the clergy of the Church of Constantinople. The decision to defrock the protodeacon came into force in the spring of 2023.

“We have accepted your appeal and, having carefully considered the case and the issues concerning you, have determined that the canonical punishments imposed on you by your spiritual authority do not in any way flow from ecclesiastical criteria. We are restoring you to the status of a clergyman and to the rank that you had previously,” says the decree published on the theologian’s Telegram channel.

In December 2020, the Moscow Diocesan Church Court decided to defrock Andrei Kuraev (foreign agent) for “the systematic and long-term nature of slanderous activities,” as well as statements on LiveJournal after the death of Archpriest Alexander Ageikin. A moratorium was imposed on the decision. However, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ lifted the moratorium in the spring of 2022 because the priest did not show “signs of repentance.”

Ministry of Justice admitted Andrey Kurev as a foreign agent in December 2023. The explanation indicated that the theologian disseminated false information about the decisions of the Russian government and opposed the special operation in Ukraine. Last November, Andrey Kuraev (foreign agent) left to Prague.

Lusine Balasyan