Only Anglican church in Moscow stops services over scandal involving priest

The only Anglican church in the capital, St. Andrew«s Church, has temporarily suspended worship services because, under Russian law, there is no one left to conduct them. As reported by the organization»s press service, problems began in August 2025 when the church decided not to invite priest Arun John to obtain a three-month humanitarian visa.

«He agreed to obtain a work permit and sign a Russian employment contract with our religious organization »Anglican Church in Moscow.« However, upon arriving in Moscow in December 2024, he refused to do so and began a campaign to destabilize and create chaos within the community,» explained church representatives.

They claim that Arun John does not have the right to work in Russia and exacerbated the conflict in the community, and that Bishop Robert Innes of the European Diocese refused to help the parishioners. During this time, more people have emerged opposing traditional Christian values, and many long-time parishioners have left the church.

«The bishop ignored appeals from people who, among other things, complained that the rector intimidates them, that he is a misogynist, that during communion he drops consecrated bread on the floor and spills consecrated wine, that he humiliates people offended by this and compares them to idolaters,» is written on the church«s Telegram channel.

Services at the church in Voznesensky Lane will not be held for the next several weeks. The press service emphasized that they comply with Russian laws and do not intend to close after 30 years of operation.

The Anglican community in Moscow has existed since 1553, and the church in Voznesensky Lane was built in 1884. After a difficult Soviet period, the church resumed worship services in 1991.

Earlier, our colleagues at CHITA.RU took an interview with a priest who dreamed of becoming a truck driver. Father Mikhail spoke about his journey to God.