Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Reassigned to Brazil Amid Drug Investigation
The Moscow Patriarchate announced that he will serve two Russian Orthodox parishes in southern Brazil. He could no longer continue his ministry in Europe for "objective reasons."
Hilarion had already been removed from his position of leadership in the Russian Orthodox community in 2024, after a former male assistant accused him of homosexual misconduct. Pictures revealed that he had been living a lavish lifestyle, including hoarding money and property.
The recent move follows Hilarion's detention by Czech police in late May.
Acting on an anonymous tip, officers reportedly found four containers of white powder in the trunk of his car. Authorities later confirmed the substance was cocaine.
Hilarion was held for two days before being released without charges and returning to Russia.
Czech police say the investigation remains ongoing.
As with the homosexual accusation, the metropolitan denies any wrongdoing. He was “the victim of a provocation”.
Picture: Hilarion Alfeyev, © Kremlin.ru, wikipedia, CC BY-SA, #newsEvycwxxloe