Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill. Photo credit: Channel One / 1tv.ru
The Czech authorities have imposed sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, TASS reports. He became the first and so far the only person on the national sanctions list. He was included in the document, as explained in Prague, for supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The sanctions list was approved by the Czech government at the beginning of the year. People included in the list are prohibited from entering the country. In addition, the authorities freeze their property in the Czech Republic.
Almost a year ago, the Canadian authorities included the head of the Russian Orthodox Church on the sanctions list. The Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Leonid of Klin, called the actions of Ottawa ''a dirty trick.'' The decision to introduce sanctions against Patriarch Kirill is a continuation of the "sanction lawlessness" of the West, the clergyman believes.
According to the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, "only Satanists could impose sanctions against the patriarch."
Earlier, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church fell under the sanctions imposed by London. The British authorities justified their decision by the fact that Patriarch Kirill supported Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was also subjected to sanctions by the Australian authorities.
Russkiy Mir
