Forbes Removes Inaccurate Article on Society of St. John's Day of Action

The Forbes headline before the story was changed, and later deleted altogether. Photo: UOJ-USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An article by Forbes which was originally titled "Russian Orthodox Church Brings Kremlin Propaganda Campaign to Capitol Hill" has been removed from the publication's website following warnings issued by the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco over email.

After the initial email from the Society of St. John to Forbes' editorial team, the title was changed to "The Russian Orthodox Church Wants a Ukrainian Law Repealed." However, much of the information contained in the article — which was verifiably false — prompted a follow-up email from the Society of St. John demanding a retraction, correction, and apology.

The headline of the Forbes article after it was changed. However, the misleading photo of Patriarch Kirill and Vladimir Putin was kept in place. Photo: UOJ-USA

One of the most notable issues with the article and its presentation was the fact that the thumbnail and main photo used was one of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin walking together — two figures who have no affiliation with the Society of St. John, but who are commonly referred to in articles seeking to connect those concerned with the well-recorded persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with Moscow and the Kremlin. 

To go along with this misleading photo, the social media preview for the article began, "A delegation of Russian Orthodox Church representatives arrived in the U.S. this week..." The delegation on Capitol Hill was comprised of nearly 200 American citizens, with some taking time off of work and traveling significant distances to use their constitutional right to speak with their elected officials about matters of importance to them. 

Furthermore, the delegation was comprised of members of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Antiochian, Serbian, and Greek jurisdictions. There was no one sent by the Russian Orthodox Church — which is headquartered in Moscow — to attend the Day of Action. There was not even a single person who traveled from outside of the United States.

"We appreciate that Forbes has removed its defamatory article; however, this action alone is insufficient," the Society of St. John said in a statement. "If Forbes intends to uphold the standards of a reputable news organization, it must take responsibility by correcting the record, issuing a formal apology to the Society of St. John for the defamatory claims, and acknowledging to its readers that they were misled by false and inflammatory rhetoric. The American public deserves better."

Previously, UOJ reported that a leaked memo of the American Coalition for Ukraine said the issue of religious freedom is the lobbyists' "Achilles heel."

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