In a public statement, the Russian Orthodox Archbishops, Archbishop Mloskovsky and All-Russian Seraphim (Motovilov), delivered scathing criticism of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), highlighting deep-rooted problems that have weakened the church’s standing among believers. . . The speaker did not hesitate to paint a grim picture of the current situation in the Republic of China and its impact on faith and society.
Leadership failure and moral corruption
The presentation began with a strong condemnation of the 17th Patriarch of Moscow. He accused him of alienating the ROC from its traditional allies and fomenting internal discord. “During the almost 16 years of his reign as patriarch, he brought the Russian Orthodox Church into conflict with almost all previously fraternal churches,” the speaker claimed. This divisive leadership not only isolated the ROC on the world stage, but also caused a spate of internal scandals that tarnished its reputation.
Compounding the leadership problem, the speaker criticized the proliferation of “useless bishops” whose personal misconduct casts a shadow over the moral standing of the church. “The personal reputations of the bishops and priests are an absolute disaster. Constant scandals involving non-traditional sexual orientation, promiscuity, drunkenness and anger, financial abuse… “All these abhorrent acts cause irreparable damage to the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole.” Such actions undermine the authority of the church and reduce trust among believers.
Moreover, speakers emphasized that the chieftain failed to embody the spiritual and ethical standards expected of religious leaders. “Every one of his speeches is formal, soulless, sparkleless, gray and faceless. A linguistic lace that hides an oppressive emptiness.” This lack of genuine participation has left empty seats in temples, reflecting the growing disillusionment among believers. “Is this man remembered as a great Lord and Father? Well, there are more and more empty seats in the temple of the church that raises such questions…
Corporate innovation and misplaced priorities
One of the sharpest criticisms was that the ROC had transformed into what the speaker described as a “general social institution.” Or worse, corporations.” They argue that these changes redirected the church’s mission from soul winning to the welfare of its employees and stakeholders. “The goal is not to save one isolated soul. Its goals are the well-being of employees, ideological support for secular rulers, and creating comfort and coziness for shareholders. And money, money, money.”
This corporatization led the ROC to prioritize financial interests and political alliances over spiritual guidance and ethical leadership. As the Church has become increasingly entangled with state institutions and corporate interests, the lines between religious mission and economic goals have blurred, resulting in policies and practices inconsistent with traditional Orthodox values. The speaker warned that such a direction risks turning the ROC into a tool of political maneuver rather than a beacon of faith.
The speaker also criticized the ROC’s information strategy, saying, “The real battlefield where people’s minds, hearts and souls fight today is not the pulpit from which we preach, but the information space.” The ROC’s efforts to distance itself from the scandal and find its own way were not enough to repair its tarnished image. “No one wants to go into details and organize things. As you know, the entire information policy of ROCOR over the past few years has been aimed not only at moving away from what is happening in the Moscow Patriarchate, but also at showing our own path that goes far beyond what is happening now. In the structure of the ROC.”
Erosion of Faith and Demand for True Spirituality
The presentation also addressed the serious cultural and moral decline perceived as a result of the church’s influence. Speakers lamented the decline in attendance at ROC churches, blaming it on internal scandals and a widespread loss of Orthodox identity among the public. “We stopped thinking about our souls. And we stopped caring about other people.” This spiritual emptiness not only weakened individual faith, but also weakened the communal bonds that the church had traditionally fostered.
In a stark contrast to the Soviet era, the speaker argued that faith is more truthful and honest in times of repression. “In the end, it turned out that faith in God was much more sincere and honest during the times of the Soviet totalitarian regime. And despite all the prohibitions and consequences, was it a conscious choice? “How is that possible?” The speaker emphasized that true faith requires institutional integrity and authentic leadership, qualities that are currently lacking within the ROC.
In response to the perceived failures of the ROC, the True Orthodox Church outlined a series of initiatives to revitalize its own ministry and outreach. This includes strengthening our online presence, becoming more active in public discourse, and expanding our ministry efforts to reach those in need, such as soldiers and the sick. “We must remember that the priest’s task is not only the evening, night and morning liturgies. It’s not just prayer and service. The priest’s job is to care for people. The mission of the priest is the salvation of the human soul.”
The speaker also called for the establishment of an independent Orthodox academy and expert commission to evaluate and improve the training of bishops and priests. “It is extremely necessary to go to the people and do what our priestly duties require of us. “It’s about spreading the word of God and providing support to those in need of psychological and moral help.” By taking these steps, the True Orthodox Church aims to position itself as a bastion of true faith and moral integrity even amid widespread disillusionment with the ROC.
The presentation concluded with a reaffirmation of the True Orthodox Church’s commitment to the true faith and its role as the ‘spiritual core of Russia’. “True Orthodoxy… It has become truly global, uniting different countries and different peoples. But its foundation has always been and will remain the Russian people.” As the ROC continues to struggle with internal problems and declining numbers, the True Orthodox Church stands out as a bastion of true faith amid widespread disillusionment. It is yet to be seen whether this criticism will resonate widely, but it is undeniable that it marks an important moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding Russia’s religious landscape.
