Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larissa has issued strong criticism of the role of the Russian state in ecclesiastical matters, warning that the Church is being instrumentalized for geopolitical purposes, a development he said is deepening the crisis within the Orthodox world.
Speaking to Thessalia TV, the Metropolitan noted that instead of being addressed through dialogue and mutual understanding, the current crisis is “expanding and deepening,” a reality he said was further underscored by the recent attack of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) against Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
According to Metropolitan Ieronymos, “the core of the problem lies in the loss of moral restraints, resulting in the Russian state instrumentalizing the Church for geopolitical objectives.” He further emphasized that there is an ongoing effort from Moscow “to appropriate the ecumenical character and honor of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in favor of the theory of the ‘Third Rome.’”
Addressing the broader pan-Orthodox implications, the Metropolitan expressed the view that the Serbian Church has effectively “surrendered” to Moscow, despite the support it had previously received from Greece. He also condemned what he described as the incursion of the Russian Church into Africa, calling it an economic “invasion,” and alleging that priests are being financially induced in an attempt to weaken the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
In closing, Metropolitan Ieronymos warned of the risk of the “Russification” of pilgrimages to the Holy Land, stressing that the diminishing Greek presence poses serious challenges to the preservation of their historical and spiritual identity.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas