Moscow priest John Koval was defrocked for changing the words in the prayer “On Holy Rus'”

The Moscow Church Court decided to deprive priest John Koval of the holy dignity of the cleric of the Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called in Lublin for unauthorized change in the text of the prayer “For Holy Rus'”. The verdict will enter into force after approval by the ruling bishop (Patriarch of Rus’ and All Rus’ Kirill in Moscow – “b”). This was reported “RIA News” with reference to the deputy chairman of the Diocesan Court of Moscow, Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin.

“The decision of the court was to depose Koval from his rank. It is motivated by disobedience to the hierarchy with reference to the 25th Apostolic Canon, where, among other grave sins, perjury is mentioned. It is understood that the ordained person takes an oath, in which he promises to strictly follow the instructions of the hierarchy,” said Mr. Tsypin. According to him, Ioann Koval refused to admit his guilt.

Vladislav Tsypin said that other priests of higher rank asked Mr. Koval to read the prayer in the established version. According to him, he refused it.

Mr. Tsypin added that Ioann Koval did not answer the question of whether he changed the text because of “a political position or principled pacifism.” In his opinion, the priest had no good arguments in favor of his position. “Not just peacefulness, but pacifism, that is, the fundamental refusal for Christians to participate in wars, is usually an element of heretical, sectarian doctrines,” he said.

Earlier, the media reported that Priest John Koval edited the text of the prayer “On Holy Rus'”, which was required to read all the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). In the phrase “Arise, O God, to help Thy people and give us victory by Thy power,” he changed the word “victory” to “peace.” In February, Patriarch Kirill signed a decree that banned Mr. Koval from serving.

Olesya Pavlenko