Patr. Kirill Temporarily Suspends Metr. Hilarion’s Brazil Assignment

MOSCOW — Patr. Kirill of Moscow has temporarily suspended a previous decree assigning retired Metr. Hilarion (Alfeyev) to serve in the Russian Orthodox Church’s Argentine and South American Diocese, allowing him to remain in Russia to care for his elderly mother.

According to a decree issued July 29, the suspension was granted in response to a request from Metr. Hilarion for permission to stay in Russia. Until the earlier decree is restored, the retired hierarch’s place of residence and service will be the Exaltation of the Cross Jerusalem Stavropegic Convent, which will provide him with support.

The temporary change follows a June 3 decree that assigned Metr. Hilarion to pastoral service in Brazil. That decision had designated the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Santa Rosa and the Church of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in Campina das Missões as his places of ministry and residence after circumstances prevented him from continuing his previous assignment in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

The reassignment came after Metr. Hilarion was detained by Czech authorities in May following the discovery of a prohibited substance in a vehicle connected to him. He denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation. After his release, he returned to Russia and later concelebrated with Patr. Kirill at Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Lavra.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Hilarion described an unforgettable communion with God in prison.