Moscow priest who spoke out against war in Ukraine removed from post

Archpriest Alexey Uminsky was removed from his position as rector at the Moscow Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Khokhly and banned from service, reports journalist Ksenia Luchenko and independent television station TV Rain.

TV Rain reports that Uminsky was removed from his position as rector due to remarks he made during an interview with the former editor-in-chief of Echo of Moscow Alexey Venediktov. The interview was posted on the Zhivoy Gvozd YouTube channel in November 2023.

The Moscow diocese did not confirm reports about Uminsky’s removal.

According to TV Rain, Archpriest Andrei Tkachev, who supports Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was appointed as rector of the church.

One of Meduza’s source in the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed that Uminsky was banned from service on January 5.