87-Year-Old Bishop Brands Putin's War "Satanic," Slapped with Massive Fine

Written by: Forum 18 Newsservice Photo by: eshatologia.org First published: stefanus.no 04.19.2024 

The 87-year-old Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov has been found guilty of repeatedly discrediting the Russian armed forces. The verdict was issued on April 8th by a court in the Krasnodar region, according to a report from Forum 18 News Service, a partner of the Stefanus Alliance. The fine imposed is 150,000 rubles, equivalent to nearly eight months of the average local pension. 

Archbishop Viktor has consistently described Russia's war against Ukraine as "aggressive" and "satanic." 

Recent events have alarmed many members of the Holy Intercession Tikhonite Church in Slavyansk, with a church member noting that several have been scared away. 

The 87-year-old Archbishop is the fifth individual to be criminally convicted for voicing religious-based criticisms of Russia's war in Ukraine. He was convicted under Article 280.3, part 1 of the criminal code, which pertains to "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation." 

Most of the fine will be paid using funds seized during an armed raid by investigative authorities in October 2023, as stated by Archbishop Viktor’s church. In the course of the raid, Archbishop Viktor’s assistant, Hieromonk Iona Sigida, was attacked and arrested. He was later charged with administrative offenses. 

Archbishop Viktor has vigorously condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its war tactics as "aggressive," "satanic," and "cursed by both God and humans." His condemnations have been expressed in his sermons, articles, and a May 2023 YouTube video by the independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe. 

In March 2023, he was administratively penalized for his sermons speaking out against the war.