Arrr! 'Tis "Putin's confessor" bein' promoted to bishop o' the Ukrainian land he claimed fer himself!
2023-10-12
Arr, ye scurvy dog! A Russian Orthodox archbishop, known as "Putin's Confessor," be takin' charge o' a diocese in Crimea, situated upon occupied Ukrainian territory. Methinks this be no ordinary appointment, but a treacherous move, fit for a pirate!
President Vladimir Putin’s spiritual adviser, Metropolitan Tikhon, has been appointed to head the Diocese of Crimea, an annexed Ukrainian territory. Tikhon is known as "Putin's confessor" and is a close ally of the Russian president. In Christian churches, a confessor is a priest who hears confession and offers absolution for sins. Tikhon and Putin have been photographed together on multiple occasions, and their close relationship is well-documented. Governor Sergei Aksyonov, installed by the Russian government after the annexation, has praised Tikhon as one of the most influential prelates of the Russian Orthodox Church. Despite his ties to Putin, Tikhon has tried to portray himself as sympathetic to the Ukrainian people since the invasion began.Tikhon, whose secular name is Georgiy Alexandrovich Shevkunov, is currently serving as the bishop of Pskov and Porkhov. He will take over the position left vacant by Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol's retirement. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church made the decision to appoint Tikhon to the diocese in Crimea, which is located in the occupied region of Ukraine.
Tikhon's appointment has raised concerns about the close association between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian government. The annexation of Crimea has been widely criticized by the international community, and Tikhon's appointment may be seen as further evidence of Russia's control over the region.
Despite the controversy, Tikhon has expressed his hope for peace in Ukraine and has called the situation a tragic and fateful stage in the country's history. He has emphasized the importance of prayer and called for an end to the violence. However, his appointment as the head of the Diocese of Crimea raises questions about the church's role in supporting the Russian government's actions in the region.