The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has approved amendments to the oath priests and deacons take at ordination, introducing new provisions governing public communication online.
The Synod adopted the decision at its meeting on 22 October. According to the document, the Commission for Church Administration, Pastoral Care and the Organisation of Church Life proposed the new provisions.
The commission found that certain aspects of communication in the digital environment were not covered by the ordination oath, whose text had been approved in 2011.
New obligations concerning online communication
Under the decision, candidates for ordination will be required to make the following commitment:
“Not to speak publicly on behalf of the Church without the blessing of the ecclesiastical authorities; not to make statements, in media appearances or through the use of online platforms (including social media and other social communication platforms), that discredit the Orthodox Church or distort its teachings; and not to use online platforms for personal gain.”
The decision does not prohibit clergy from using social media. Instead, it establishes obligations concerning the content of their public statements and the purposes for which they engage in online activity.
Standardised forms for examining candidates
At the same meeting, the Holy Synod also approved standardised forms for examining candidates for ordination.
These include a commitment not to make, through social media, “anti-Church statements (heretical and schismatic) that discredit the Orthodox Church or distort its spirit and worldview”.
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church ordered the approved documents to be published on its official website and distributed to dioceses for use in preparing candidates for ordination.
The Church’s presence online was also discussed by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece in October.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida presented a report outlining several principles concerning the conduct of priests.
