ROCOR Priest’s Sexual Abuse Case Set for Jury Trial

Fr. Matthew Williams. Photo: virginia.arrests.org

ABINGDON, VA — Fr. Matthew Williams, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), was arrested on a capias warrant in Washington County, Virginia, on April 30, 2026, before making bail the following day. He is facing two charges each of aggravated sexual battery with a victim under the age of 13 and indecent acts by a child custodian. The alleged offenses occurred in 2012 and 2016.

An arraignment is scheduled for May 29, 2026, with a jury trial set to begin for the 2016 charges on Sept. 29, 2026, and for the 2012 charges on Nov. 17, 2026. 

In the state of Tennessee, where Williams previously served as rector of St. Tikhon Russian Orthodox Church in Blountville, his next court hearing is July 21, 2026. He faces two charges of sexual battery by an authority figure in Sullivan County court, where Judge William K. Rodgers has granted a continuance on two occasions – the latest being to the aforementioned July date.

Williams’ father, Archpriest Gregory Williams, was known for his publishing of numerous liturgical books in the English language in collaboration with Fr. Joseph (Isaac) Lambertsen. Fr. Matthew currently operates Damascene Press, which recently published St. Ephraim the Syrian’s “Spiritual Psalter.”

UOJ-America will continue to report on this case as more information becomes available.

Read also