Vsevolod Anatolyevich Chaplin (Russian: Всеволод Анатольевич Чаплин; 31 March 1968 – 26 January 2020)[1] was a Russian celibatepriest of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). He was the chairman of the Synodal Department for the Cooperation of Church and Society of the Moscow Patriarchate from 2009 to December 2015.
According to opinion polls, Chaplin was the most recognizable person in the Russian Orthodox Church, after the Patriarch Kirill (data from 2013 year)[4] and had a mass media reputation of an ultra-conservative cleric.[5]
From October 1990 to March 2009, he was in the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate, beginning as an ordinary staffer (1990–1991) before moving into public affairs (1991–1997), then being secretary (1997–2001) and vice-president (2001–2009).[7] At the same time as being in the DECR, he continued studies at the Moscow Theological Academy, defending his thesis and graduating in 1994.
On 24 December 2015, by the decision of the Holy Synod he was released from this position of head of the Department for the Cooperation of Church and Society, the latter being merged with the Information Department headed by Vladimir Legoyda [ru]. Chaplin was also removed from the Interconfessional Council of Russia [Wikidata].[8]
Shortly after his dismissal, Chaplin gave a series of interviews which were sharply critical of Patriarch Kirill who he said would "not last much longer".[5][9][10] In March 2017, he described people who fled to the West as traitors and expressed support for the killing of "traitors".[11] He died suddenly in Moscow.
Committees
In addition to his other work, Fr. Vsevolod was a member of:
The Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations under the President of Russia on 4 March 1996, 14 May 1997 and 28 May 2009
Fr Vsevolod's role as Chairman of the Department for the Cooperation of Church and Society meant that he made public statements on religion and ethics, including:
Opposing the confusion of the terms 'religion' and 'denomination', claiming that confessions can be just Christian.[17]
Advocating the establishment of 'Orthodox National Teams'[18]
Considers that, to avoid rape, Russian girls need to be 'more serious in appearance'. Proposed that a 'nationwide dress code' could help.[24][25]
Stated that female genital mutilation was not necessary for Orthodox women.[26]
Supports the beautification of church buildings, iconostases, ornaments and vestments, as befits a religion at the centre of national life, giving the Church the opportunity to speak to rich and poor alike.[27]
His statement made on 30 September 2015, in which he, while talking about the support of the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War on the part of all the religious groups in Russia, referred to the fight against terrorism as a "moral fight, a holy fight if you will",[31][32][33] was thought to have provoked a harsh reaction from an Islamist forces spokesman in Syria[34] as well as dismay on the part of some Christian leaders in Syria.[35]
The Order of Friendship (21 January 2009) – for outstanding contribution to the development of spiritual culture and strengthening friendship between peoples.[40]
Diploma of the Russian Federation President (20 July 2011) – for services to the development of spiritual culture and strengthening friendship between peoples.[41][42]
The medal "For peace and harmony between peoples" (International Federation for Peace and Harmony, 2007) – for their active participation in the peace, charity, peace and mutual understanding, cooperation among peoples and for strengthening relations and fruitful cooperation between the regional diocesan and secular non-governmental organizations[46][47]
The Order of the Russian Imperial House St. Anne's II degree[48]
Commemorative Medal "The highest visit to Kiev – the mother of Russian cities. 1911–2011" (The Russian Imperial House, 2011)
Commemorative Medal "The highest visit to the Crimea. 2011" (the Russian Imperial House, 2011)
