ROCOR Synod strips nun collaborating with OCU of her monastic status

Photo: Varvara Georgievna Larina / Facebook of Andrii Dudchenko

On May 16, 2025, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, head of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), issued a decree depriving Nun Vassa Larina of her monastic status, according to the official ROCOR website.

The decree was issued based on the decision of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, which convened on May 9 in London. During the Synod, a letter from Bishop Luke of Syracuse was read, in which he removed Larina’s riassa and klobuk for disobedience.

Based on this letter, the Synod resolved:

To confirm the decision of Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

To prohibit the former nun Vassa from wearing monastic garments and from using the name given to her at tonsure, and to forbid her from presenting herself as a nun of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in her public appearances.

To publish this decision.

As reported by the UOJ, Larina is expected to be received into the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) soon.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on May 9, Larina gave a lecture at the OCU’s Kyiv Theological Academy titled “‘Freedom’ and ‘Peace’ in the Age of Post-Truth.”

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