Metropolitan Hilarion has been “temporarily” suspended from the Budapest-Hungary Metropolis by a decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church.
During yesterday’s session of the Synod, it was decided that Metropolitan Hilarion (formerly of Volokolamsk and President of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate) will be temporarily relieved of the administration of the Budapest-Hungary Diocese.
In addition, the Holy Synod decided to transfer the temporary administration of the diocese to the Patriarchal Exarch for Western Europe, Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe.
Regarding Metropolitan Hilarion’s positions as President of the Synodal Theological Commission and Chairman of the Theological Committee, he was permanently dismissed from these positions. Bishop Methodius of Yegoreyevsk, who assumed these positions only 10 days ago, was appointed in his place.
Notably, the Holy Synod of the Russian Church also decided to form a committee to investigate the situation in the Budapest Metropolis.
The reasons for this decision were not disclosed. However, earlier this month, an article by novayagazeta.eu (a Russian newspaper that ceased operations in Moscow and moved to Riga after criticizing the government and the invasion of Ukraine) discussed the “activities and days” of Metropolitan Hilarion in Hungary.
Among other things, it mentioned the Metropolitan’s alleged close relationship with a subdeacon named Georgy Suzuki, referred to Mr. Hilarion’s expensive real estate purchases in France and Hungary, and spoke of a high standard of living. It published photos of the subdeacon’s travels with the Metropolitan, included statements from the subdeacon himself, and revealed the existence of a Hungarian passport in Metropolitan Hilarion’s name, issued only a few weeks after his transfer to Budapest.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
