Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has temporarily amended the arrangements concerning the place of residence and ministry of retired Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), following a request from the hierarch to remain in Russia in order to care for his elderly mother.
According to a decree issued by Patriarch Kirill on July 29, 2026, the relevant provisions of the Patriarchal decree of June 3, 2026, concerning Metropolitan Hilarion’s place of retirement and his right to serve at churches in Brazil have been temporarily suspended.
Under the earlier decree, Metropolitan Hilarion had been assigned to reside in retirement with the right to serve at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Santa Rosa and the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in Campina das Missões, Brazil.
The latest decision was taken in response to Metropolitan Hilarion’s request to be permitted to remain in Russia so that he could care for his elderly mother.
Until the previous decree comes back into effect, Metropolitan Hilarion’s place of residence and ministry in retirement will be the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Jerusalem Stavropegial Convent in Russia.
The decree further stipulates that the monastery will provide for Metropolitan Hilarion’s maintenance during this period.
