Former schema abbot Sergius (Nikolai Romanov) turned to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request for pardon. The publication reports URA.RU.
In 2021, security forces raided the Sredneuralsky monastery, previously seized by former abbot Sergius. The former clergyman was detained and later arrested. He was accused of incitement to suicide. In addition, charges were filed against the former schema monk under the articles “Arbitrariness” and “Violation of the right to freedom of conscience.”
In November 2021, Romanov was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. In January 2023, the prosecutor demanded that former schemer Sergius be sentenced to seven years in prison for incitement to hatred.
“I beg you to have mercy and spare me from further punishment for the following reasons. I was tonsured into the ryasophora (monastic order) in 1998, ordained a priest in 2001, tonsured into the mantle in 2001, and tonsured into the great scheme in 2006,” he wrote in his letter to Sergius Putin.
Sergius, who was also excommunicated from the church, cites among his merits the construction of 20 churches and 5 monasteries, as well as constant work with the homeless and other socially vulnerable citizens.
Before that, the Moscow City Court softened Penalty to Nikolai Romanov (former hegumen Sergius) in case of incitement to hatred and hostility.
Previously in SK woke up A Belgorod resident was charged with inciting hatred against Russian citizens.