Metropolitan Hilarion, the former chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, was retired following a scandal that gained prominence a few months ago.
Specifically, reports emerged alleging a close relationship between Metropolitan Hilarion and a subdeacon named Georgy Suzuki. These reports detailed luxurious real estate acquisitions in France and Hungary attributed to the Metropolitan and highlighted a high standard of living inconsistent with monastic vows.
Publications included photographs of the subdeacon traveling with the Metropolitan, statements from Suzuki himself, and evidence of a Hungarian passport issued to Metropolitan Hilarion only weeks after his transfer to Budapest.
In response to these revelations, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church finalized the Metropolitan’s temporary suspension by officially placing him into retirement and relieving him of his position as head of the Metropolis of Budapest-Hungary, a role he had assumed in June 2022. The administration of the diocese has been temporarily entrusted to Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailov.
The Synod further resolved to request the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to examine Metropolitan Hilarion’s conduct. It noted significant inconsistencies between his lifestyle and relationships with close associates and the expectations of a monk and clergyman.
As part of the resolution, Metropolitan Hilarion has been reassigned to serve at the Church of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary.