Metropolitan Hilarion has been temporarily suspended from the Budapest-Hungary Metropolis by a decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church.
During the recent session of the Synod, it was determined that Metropolitan Hilarion, formerly of Volokolamsk and President of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, will be temporarily relieved of his duties in the Budapest-Hungary Diocese.
Furthermore, the Holy Synod has appointed the Patriarchal Exarch for Western Europe, Metropolitan Nestor of Korsun and Western Europe, to oversee the temporary administration of the diocese.
Metropolitan Hilarion has also been permanently dismissed from his positions as President of the Synodal Theological Commission and Chairman of the Theological Committee. Bishop Methodius of Yegoreyevsk has been appointed to succeed him in these roles.
The Holy Synod of the Russian Church has decided to establish a committee to investigate the situation within the Budapest Metropolis.
The specific reasons for this decision have not been disclosed. However, there have been recent reports by novayagazeta.eu regarding the activities of Metropolitan Hilarion in Hungary.
These reports have raised concerns about the Metropolitan’s relationship with a subdeacon named Georgy Suzuki, his real estate acquisitions in France and Hungary, and his luxurious lifestyle. They have also highlighted the subdeacon’s travels with the Metropolitan, statements made by the subdeacon, and the issuance of a Hungarian passport in Metropolitan Hilarion’s name shortly after his transfer to Budapest.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou