In Vidnoye, near Moscow, the body of 90-year-old Roman Legoida was found along a roadside in the Leninsky district. Legoida, a respected journalist and a long-time figure in church media, had held prominent roles as head of the Synodal Department for Social Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church and as head of the Patriarch’s press service. The discovery was reported by Kirill Vladimir Legoida from Moscow and All Russia via TASS, citing law enforcement sources. (Attribution: TASS)
Authorities described the scene as a local resident with multiple stab wounds located by the highway. The regional Investigative Committee press service confirmed the details, noting the circumstances and the nature of the injuries. (Attribution: Investigative Committee press service)
A murder case has been opened under part 1 of article 105 of the Criminal Code. The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, has taken charge of the probe and awaits an operational report detailing initial investigative actions and the incident’s particulars. (Attribution: Investigative Committee)
Officials stated that the most experienced investigators and criminologists are at the scene, overseeing the inquiry. (Attribution: Investigative Committee)
The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ official representative, Irina Volk, pledged that officers will do everything possible to solve the crime and bring those responsible to justice. (Attribution: Ministry of Internal Affairs)
Telegram channels reported further developments, with 112 noting the body was found in a valley and Mash claiming there are 18 stab wounds. Information from mk.ru suggested the deceased was first noticed by a passerby with a dog. (Attribution: 112, Mash, mk.ru)
Mash reported that Legoida left home around noon on December 29 to buy bread and vanished, with his body found about four hours later. 112 also claimed the attack occurred during daytime as a man was walking with his grandchild. (Attribution: Mash, 112)
What is known about the murdered man?
Roman Legoyda also served in law enforcement. His son Vladimir described his father as a strong communicator who exposed him to the demands and rewards of public service from a young age. Vladimir noted that his father’s career influenced his own path toward public service and diplomacy. The elder Legoyda hailed from a village in the Vinnytsia region of the Ukrainian SSR. (Attribution: family statements)
Vladimir Legoyda, now 50, studied at MGIMO and later taught there. His interest in religion grew during a study-abroad experience in the United States, where he formed close ties with Orthodox communities. While abroad, he published a magazine aimed at travelers and later helped establish an Orthodox youth publication, Thomas, which remains popular. (Attribution: interviews, historical records)
In 2009, Legoyda became the first in the church’s history to chair the synodal department responsible for church-society relations and media without formal church education or ordination. He continues to hold this position. In 2019, Patriarch Kirill removed the head of the church press service, priest Alexander Volkov, appointing Legoida to lead temporarily. (Attribution: church records)
Earlier this year, Legoida and other church representatives faced Ukrainian sanctions. Ukrainian leadership framed the moves as a step toward spiritual independence, while Legoida criticized Kyiv’s actions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, describing the persecution of priests at the Kiev Pechersk Lavra as a peak of lawlessness. (Attribution: Ukrainian government statements, church commentary)