Metr. Hilarion Describes “Unforgettable Communion With God” in Prison
Metr. Hilarion says a prison cell became the setting for an unforgettable encounter with God amid an international controversy.
PRAGUE — Metr. Hilarion Alfeyev of the Russian Orthodox Church has departed the Czech Republic after being released from custody without charges in a narcotics investigation that prompted protests from Moscow. In a May 27 video address, Metr. Hilarion detailed the events surrounding his detention and reflected on what he described as a deeply spiritual experience during his imprisonment.
The hierarch said police vehicles appeared to be waiting for his car on a highway before directing it to a gas station, where officers conducted a search. Metr. Hilarion said he was eventually shown three packets and a jar of white powder allegedly discovered behind the trunk lining near the fire extinguisher compartment. “This is the first time I have seen it,” he recalled telling officers. Authorities reportedly acted on an anonymous tip that precisely described the route, timing, and location where the substances would allegedly be found.
Metr. Hilarion and his cameraman were detained May 24 and released May 26 without charges, bail, or restrictions. His lawyer reportedly cited procedural irregularities, including the absence of video documentation, the lack of independent witnesses, and claims that the officer conducting the search did not wear gloves. Police later confirmed the seized substance was illegal, though the investigation and fingerprint analysis continue.
Metr. Hilarion said the final hours of his detention became a moment of extraordinary spiritual clarity and "utterly unforgettable communion with God.” “I managed to say many important things to Him and to hear many important things from Him. Such communion could hardly have taken place in ordinary circumstances,” the Metropolitan said. He compared his release to the Apostle Peter’s deliverance from prison in the Book of Acts and thanked supporters who prayed for him throughout the ordeal. After leaving custody, Metr. Hilarion said he chose to leave the country because he feared “history will be repeated,” adding that he intends to personally brief Patr. Kirill on the incident. Russian officials condemned the case as a deliberate provocation against the hierarch.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Czech government looked to ban Metr. Hilarion Alfeyev.
