Was Metr. Hilarion Alfeyev Set Up by the FSB?

Last year, during the Moscow Patriarchate’s annual assembly, a priest stood up and declared:  “The duty of a priest is to lead people to the Kingdom of Heaven, not to promote nationalism.”  

“How wonderful,” Patr. Kirill responded.  “This is the first time I’ve heard such a thing.  Father, are you by any chance from Western Ukraine?  Go sit down and seriously reflect on what you’ve just blurted out.”

According to UOJ sources, the assembly erupted in laughter and applause.

Unfortunately, such reports are not difficult to believe.

Of course, the Russian Church is not an “arm” of the Putin regime, as some Western media outlets suggest.  For most of its 115 million members—including priests and monastics—the Church and the State do not mix.  Unfortunately, however, it’s true that the Russian bishops are forced to toe the Kremlin’s line on the invasion of Ukraine.

This was never more obvious than in the case of Metr. Hilarion Alfeyev.  For years, Alfeyev was regarded as Kirill’s likely successor.  He served as chairman of the MP’s powerful Department for External Church Relations, a role for which he was uniquely suited.  As a theologian, he was respected by both conservatives and liberals in the Church—and not only in Russia, but in America as well. 

Yet Alfeyev conspicuously refused to declare his support for the war.  Of course, Metr. Hilarion never condemned the war, either.  Instead, he made vague calls for the “cessation of every military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.”

Still, it wasn’t enough.  In June of 2022, Alfeyev was removed as chairman of the DECR.  He was also effectively exiled to Hungary, where he ministered to Budapest’s small Russian community.  He acquired Hungarian citizenship and became friends with many of the city’s conservative intellectuals, continuing to write and travel.  It was a dramatic fall from grace, but at least it had a soft landing.

Then, in July of 2024, Alfeyev’s former cell attendant came forward accusing the metropolitan of behaving inappropriately towards him.  It’s worth noting that the young man, Georgy Suzuki, was eighteen years old when he began working for Alfeyev.  Also, he never claimed to have a sexual relationship with Alfeyev.  However, he did accuse the metropolitan of pressuring him to sleep naked in the same bed.  

If such acts took place, they would be considered grossly immoral, if not illegal—especially if committed by a member of the clergy.  If done without the other person’s consent, they would be downright evil—again, especially when the perpetrator is a priest of Jesus Christ.  

The question is whether or not the allegations are true.

Hilarion has never openly accused the Russian government of setting him up.  However, he did call Suzuki a blackmailer and accuse him of traveling to Moscow shortly before going public with his allegations.  Suzuki also admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars in cash and possessions from Metr. Hilarion's residence.  Many in Alfeyev’s inner circle also insist that he is innocent and accuse his former aide of working for the FSB.

It’s impossible to say for certain, as no official investigation—criminal, civil, or ecclesiastical—has ever been undertaken.

As a result of the scandal, the metropolitan was fully retired from his episcopal duties.  He was ordered to serve as pastor of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.  (Karlovy Vary is a city with a large Russian community; the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul is a representation of the Russian Orthodox Church and does not belong to the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.)

Alfeyev is once again in the news.  On May 24, while departing from Sts. Peter and Paul, his vehicle was stopped by law enforcement.  Four small vessels containing a “white substance” were discovered inside and assumed to be illegal narcotics.  The metropolitan was then taken into custody.

Alfeyev’s lawyers allege that four major irregularities took place in the minutes leading up to the metropolitan’s arrest.

1. Several police vehicles appeared to be waiting for them to travel down the road and moved to detain the vehicle in unison.

2. The officers did not give a reason for stopping and/or searching the vehicle. 

3. They demanded identification papers from Alfeyev, despite the fact that he wasn’t driving.

4. The metropolitan and his entourage were removed from the scene while the vehicle was searched.  Authorities claim that there is no video footage of the search, either.

Moreover, Hilarion’s press team claims that he had received several anonymous threats since arriving in Karlovy Vary.

On May 26, Metr. Hilarion and his driver were released without bail.  They were not charged with any crime.  It is known that the Russian government personally intervened on Metr. Hilarion’s behalf; he credited both Patr. Kirill and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his release. 

So, does this mean Hilarion is back in the Kremlin’s good graces?  Not necessarily.

Given the large concentration of Russian nationals in Karlovy Vary, it’s almost certain that the FSB has some presence in the city.  It’s entirely possible that a small group of corrupt officers accepted some sort of bribe and coordinated this sting before planting the “white substance” in Alfeyev’s car.  It is also possible that Western intelligence, knowing his falling out of favor, is trying to flip him to work for them.  They’ve certainly approached him in the past.

But then why would the Russian government step in to protect the metropolitan?  That would, in fact, be a classic Kremlin maneuver.  By posing as Alfeyev’s defender, the Russians gain maximum deniability in the affair.  The target himself is, effectively, forced to exonerate Moscow by thanking them for their help.  In the meantime, the metropolitan is still left harried, humiliated, and deeply vulnerable.

Sergei Chapnin, a former spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchate who is now a leading critic of the Russian Church, has speculated that Alfeyev is actually working for the Russian government, serving as a “high‑level courier” for “sensitive documents.”  He also suggests that the drugs were not planted and that the metropolitan is also a drug smuggler. 

Both suggestions are preposterous.  First of all, Alfeyev is not trusted by the Russian government.  Secondly, even if the “white substance” was some narcotic, and even if it belonged to Alfeyev, it was still a relatively small quantity.  The idea that Alfeyev is some sort of international cocaine baron is too absurd to be entertained.

This latest drama unfolds as rumors of Patr. Kirill’s failing health continue to spread.  Of course, it’s far too late for Alfeyev to mount a comeback. Nevertheless, his endorsement may have carried weight in the inevitable jockeying for the patriarchal throne.

His further degradation may also be intended as a warning to any bishops who are less than thrilled about Putin’s foreign policy agenda.  Dissent will not be tolerated, and no matter where you run, it will never be quite far enough.

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