A metropolitan from Transbaikalia complained about a shortage of priests.
According to the Metropolitan of Chita and Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky Dmitry, there is a shortage of priests in many dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"If you take even the largest dioceses, where there are the largest number of clergy, and ask the ruling bishop: 'Is it enough or not?', he will also say that it is not enough," the Metropolitan said on air at the Chita State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.
He claims that only seven people are currently studying in seminaries in Transbaikalia. Dmitry suggested building more churches, as he noticed a paradox: “When we build more churches, people appear who want to become priests.”
"We don't have enough doctors, teachers, and other specialists... But somehow the lack of clergy hasn't been noticed," "With a bishop like this, the last ones will soon flee. He's a cheap populist," "They'd better build factories so there are jobs <...>. When God is near, as they say, why do we need middlemen?" Transbaikal residents reacted on social networks.
Amidst the claims of a priest shortage, news about the persecution of "unwanted" members of the Russian Orthodox Church is increasingly appearing in the news feed. For example, St. Petersburg priest Ivan Kumoyarova In mid-August, he was recognized as a foreign agent. Another church minister from Novosibirsk area Vadim Perminova — defrocked.
In May 2023, the priest was also defrocked. John Koval — also for "perjury" and refusing to recite the prayer "On Holy Rus'" written by Patriarch Kirill in its original form. It contains a petition for victory and aid to "the soldiers and defenders of the Fatherland." Koval instead prayed for peace.
As of spring 2024, the Russian Orthodox Church had punished nearly 60 priests for their anti-war stance, Novaya Gazeta. Europe reported.