RF releases priest Kurmoyarov convicted for spreading fakes about the army
Archpriest Ioann Kurmoyarov in the court room. Photo: SOTAvision
Priest Ioann Kurmoyarov, who was convicted for spreading false information about the Russian army, has been released in Russia, reports Meduza.
He served a three-year sentence for filming a video blog criticizing the authorities' actions in Ukraine. In court, he admitted his guilt for spreading false information and apologized to everyone "who might have been offended by his publications".
The prosecution requested a seven-year sentence for Kurmoyarov. According to SOTAvision, the theologian is accused of publishing videos on his YouTube channel "Virtual Orthodox Parish" where he discussed the actions of Russian military in Ukraine from a Christian perspective.
In particular, in the video "Who Will Be in Hell and Who in Heaven?" the priest claimed that from the Gospel's point of view, "those who initiated aggression will not be in heaven, no matter how hard they try".
As reported by the UOJ, Fr Ioann Kurmoyarov is a former cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He had previously been persecuted in Ukraine for "anti-Ukrainian activities," which led him to move to Russia in 2019. On 26 December 2021, Hieromonk Ioann (Kurmoyarov) was accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) in his current rank and was allowed to perform sacred rites.
Read also
Visit of Pat. Bartholomew Continues with Vespers in Hamptons
Met. Maximos of Selyvria presided over the service at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons.
Pat. Bartholomew Holds Audience With Young Adult Leaders
Fr. Barnabas Powell and Abp. Elpidophoros spoke before an emotional Bartholomew shared his pride in the young Greek Orthodox community.
OCPM Launches Learning Center to Equip Churches for Prison Ministry
New initiative equips Orthodox parishes with training and resources to bring Christ’s love into prisons.
Greek Bishops, Politicians Outraged Over Persecution of UOC
A hierarch from Crete warned that "silence will be written as complicity in history."
Catechumenate Swells to 164 Souls at NC Parish
All Saints Antiochian celebrated 14 baptisms on Holy Saturday, with more baptisms scheduled for September 27.
Mike Johnson Gives Keynote at Reception for Pat. Bartholomew
Other attendees included Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Deputy Secretary Mike Rigas, and ambassadors from Greece and Cyprus.