"Penitential period" drawn up

Priest suspended from Navalny funeral

Thousands of opposition sympathizers attended the funeral service for the Russian regime critic.(Bild: APA/AFP/Olga MALTSEVA)

The priest Dmitry Safronov, who conducted the funeral service and burial for the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who died in prison, has been suspended from his priestly duties for three years.

"At the end of the penitential period, a decision will be made on the possibility of his further priestly activity on the basis of feedback from the place of obedience," explained the Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

No reason for action
In a statement published on its website, it gave no reason for the measure, which bans Safronov from giving blessings, wearing the priestly vestment - the cassock - and the priestly cross of the church until 2027. Safronov is also to be transferred to another church in Moscow to take on the duties of a psalm reader.

Church more on Putin's side
On March 26, Safronov led a memorial service for Navalny, which was attended by thousands of Russians. Navalny was the fiercest critic of ruler Vladimir Putin in Russia and died in February at the age of 47 in a penal colony in the Arctic.

The Russian Orthodox Church supports the course of state power, which has become increasingly authoritarian over the years, as well as its war against Ukraine.