The Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has introduced strict rules governing clergy conduct on social media

The Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has officially approved new guidelines for clergy and church staff regarding their conduct in the digital sphere, aimed at limiting clergy members’ activity on social media to the scope of their pastoral duties. This was reported to by the diocese’s press office.

According to the document, initiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, the clergy must exercise restraint and humility when using online platforms. The new guidelines urge clergy to prioritize prayer and real parish life, viewing online activity solely as a tool for inviting people to church, rather than as a platform for debate or self-promotion.

The regulations contain a number of strict prohibitions: clergy are required to refrain from participating in heated online discussions and from publishing personal opinions that could be perceived as the official position of the Church. It is emphasized that spiritual guidance and confession must remain exclusively in-person sacraments. In addition, clergy were reminded to strictly observe confidentiality.

Diocesan leadership will oversee compliance with these rules. Although the stated primary goal is pastoral correction, disciplinary measures are in place for failure to comply with the established norms. Such initiatives reflect a Church-wide trend toward limiting the influence of blogging on spiritual ministry; as the publication notes, similar measures to protect the Church’s spiritual mission were previously adopted by the Australian Archdiocese.