Bishop Diomid's defiance would set the stage for a potential confrontation in the tightly hierarchical Russian Orthodox Church.
Diomid has made waves by assailing the church for its support of government policies and its contacts with other faiths -- essentially saying the deeply conservative institution is too worldly. Following a decision at the Council of Bishops, the church said Saturday that Diomid was barred from serving. It summoned him to Moscow and demanded he "immediately repent."
But Diomid's nephew, Alexander Nesterov, said Diomid held a service Sunday in Chukotka and told parishioners that he would not repent because he does not believe that he is guilty.
Last week, Diomid's supporters rallied in Moscow calling for the resignation of Patriarch Alexy II and clashed with activists of the pro-Kremlin Nashi youth group that condemned the cleric.
Separately President Dmitry Medvedev attended a ceremony at the Christ the Savior Cathedral on Sunday to mark the 1,020th anniversary of the adoption of Orthodox Christianity by the precursor of the Russian state.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.