Statement by Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media Concerning Detention of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) in Czech Republic

DECR Communication Service, 26/05/2026

On 24^th May 2026, the news broke that the Czech Republic police had detained a hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church – retired Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), who serves at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary. The Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media states the following regarding Metropolitan Hilarion’s detention.

The clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church who are legally present in the territory of countries within the European Union enjoy all the rights and freedoms provided by the EU documents and must be protected from unlawful criminal prosecution.

The actions of the Czech law enforcement bodies raise valid questions from lawyers in terms of their legality and due process of law.

We call upon the investigation and judicial authorities of the Czech Republic to ensure that all Metropolitan Hilarion’s rights are respected. The Russian Orthodox Church will take every measure within the law to provide legal assistance to the hierarch.

Print publication

Statement by Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media Concerning Detention of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) in Czech Republic

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons