Metropolitan Hilarion, the former chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, has been retired following a scandal that gained prominence a few months ago.
Reports surfaced alleging a close relationship between Metropolitan Hilarion and a subdeacon named Georgy Suzuki. These reports detailed luxurious real estate acquisitions in France and Hungary linked to the Metropolitan, showcasing a lifestyle inconsistent with monastic vows.
Publications included images of the subdeacon accompanying the Metropolitan on travels, statements from Suzuki himself, and proof of a Hungarian passport issued to Metropolitan Hilarion shortly after his move to Budapest.
In response to these revelations, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church finalized the Metropolitan’s temporary suspension by officially retiring him and relieving him of his position as head of the Metropolis of Budapest-Hungary, a role he had taken on in June 2022. The administration of the diocese has been temporarily entrusted to Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailov.
The Synod also decided to request the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to investigate Metropolitan Hilarion’s behavior, noting significant disparities between his lifestyle and relationships with associates and the expected conduct 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.