Rev. ALEXANDER VOSTRODYMOV, Russian Orthodox Church (Dimitrov, Moscow oblast)

Rev. Alexander Nikolaevich Vostrodymov (b. 1981), a priest of the Trinity Church in Dimitrov, Moscow oblast, and a member of the Eparchial Department for Prison Ministry of the Sergiev Posad Eparchy of the Metropolis of Moscow of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Rev. Vostrodymov signed the open letter of the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church against the war; his signature is no. 9. He spoke out against the war and in defence of persecuted priests on various occasions.

In 2023, he was featured in a story on the YouTube channel ROMB about anti-war priests. He also took part in the Seraphim channel’s episode about state propaganda. He also spoke out in defence of Archpriest Alexei Uminsky. In January, Rev. Vostrodymov was summoned by the bishop; he asked the priest to avoid sensitive topics in his speeches.

On 28 March 2024, Rev. Vostrodymov was banned from the ministry. He wrote about this on his Telegram channel. He noted that the ban would last at least until Easter; the reason for the ban was “inappropriate statements on the internet.” He promised not to delete his social network channels but no new videos would be published: “I need time to think”, he wrote.

On 6 June 2024, Bishop Kirill (Zinkovsky) of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov extended the ban on ministry for a further six months, until 28 December 2024. Meanwhile, he must carry out “penitential labours” in the Dmitrov Cathedral. After receiving the decree, Vostrodymov decided to resume publishing the video.