Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) arrived in Russia

It has become known that Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), a hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, has arrived on the territory of the Russian Federation. The bishop’s return was a forced measure due to the fact that the Czech government has been exerting systematic pressure on the hierarch.

According to Metropolitan Hilarion‘s official Telegram channel, the hierarch is already in Russia. At the moment, the details of his visit, as well as planned meetings or participation in official events of the Russian Orthodox Church are not disclosed.

Earlier, Metropolitan Hilarion’s defense issued an official statement on the incident in Karlovy Vary, during which containers with an unknown substance were found in the clergyman’s car, and the hierarch himself was arrested by the Czech police. According to Metropolitan Hilarion in his official address, the defense side regards the incident as a planned provocation and insists on an independent examination and strict compliance with procedural norms.

Later it became known that Metropolitan Hilarion was released from custody without any charges against him. In view of growing political pressure and fears of repeated provocations against him, Metropolitan Hilarion announced that he was leaving the Czech Republic.