The Russian Orthodox Church reported that fraudulent emails were circulated to dioceses, allegedly signed in the name of Patriarch Kirill. The claim appears on the church’s official platform, though the exact content of those letters has not been disclosed publicly. This lack of detail has left many questions about who authored the messages and what they contained, while the church stresses that the letters were presented as if issued from the patriarch himself.
Officials noted that the letters aimed to undermine trust and sow discord among different religious communities within Russia. By impersonating church leadership, the authors apparently sought to disrupt cooperation between church and state authorities and to erode confidence among clergy, laity, and public institutions alike.
Church representatives stressed that those behind the letters did not merely fabricate a message; they sought to erode the integrity of dialogue among religious groups operating in the country. The style and grammar of the texts were flagged as inconsistent with established church communications, suggesting an outside origin and a deliberate attempt to appear legitimate.
The church also indicated that another religious movement has become more active in Russia, supposedly hiding its efforts beneath the umbrella of ecclesial authority. This development is presented as part of a broader pattern of interference that the church views as harmful to stability and mutual respect between spiritual communities and civil authorities.
Earlier reports indicated that the patriarch had disciplined Archimandrite Kirill for breaching the oath of allegiance to the Russian Orthodox Church. The disciplinary action underscores the ongoing focus within church leadership on upholding doctrinal fidelity, canonical discipline, and the responsibilities that come with clerical office.
In response to the forged communications, church officials urged members and observers to exercise caution, verify any correspondence through official channels, and rely on verified statements from church authorities. The episode serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that arise when deceptive messages appear to originate from high-ranking church figures, and it highlights the importance of safeguarding institutional trust in a period of political transition and public scrutiny. (Source: Russian Orthodox Church communications office)