Perhaps the name Vsevolod Chaplin in modern Russia has been heard by everyone. For several years now, he has been one of the most controversial, scandalous and odious figures in the world of Russian Orthodoxy. We will describe what kind of person this is and what characterizes his priestly career in this article.
Birth, childhood and youth
Vsevolod Chaplin, whose photo is placed above, was born in 1968 in Moscow. As he himself claims, his family was far from religion, including Orthodoxy. Therefore, he made an independent path to the church doors, which culminated in his conversion at the age of 13. At the school, with his religiosity, there were no special problems, although he did not even hide that he was going to go to seminary.
National issue
Some people today even claim that in fact Chaplin professes Judaism. On the Web this belief is spread by some radical groups, who also claim that Chaplin Vsevolod Anatolyevich is a Jew. However, do not trust this "sensational" news. There is no direct evidence or confirmation that Vsevolod Chaplin is a Jew. His family belonged to the Soviet intelligentsia, was close to the scientific world, which could create prerequisites to ask about its national identity, since the percentage of Jews in the Soviet and Russian intelligentsia is traditionally high. But still, a direct statement of this fact as real can be considered speculation. Vsevolod Chaplin himself does not discuss his nationality. True, he categorically denied belonging to Jews, although he speaks of this people with warmth and love.
Beginning of a church career
Vsevolod Anatolyevich began his career in the Chaplin church in 1985 with one of the posts in the publishing department of the Moscow Patriarchate. At that time, he was rather liberal in his views, advocated for some reforms, and supported the idea of a moderate renewal of church life. For example, he signed a petition for a review of liturgical practice, including the language of worship. In the late 80s, he organized exhibitions of avant-garde paintings, and later even wrote a preface to one of the albums of Christian rock music.
Transition to the DECR
After graduating from a theological seminary in 1990, Chaplin Vsevolod Anatolyevich changed the inner church camp, moving to work in the Department for External Church Relations under the wing of Smolensk Archbishop Kirill (Gundyaev), the current patriarch. It was the latter who performed deacon’s ordination over him in 1991, and a year later he ordained him a priest. Since 1991, Chaplin Vsevolod Anatolyevich, as part of the DECR, began to lead the public relations sector of the church. He held this position for many years. Along the way, Vsevolod Chaplin, whose photo is located below, graduated from the Theological Academy in Moscow in 1994. However, he received a Ph.D. in theology.
Community Engagement
Priest Vsevolod Chaplin was a member of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organizations during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. But in 1997 he was expelled from it. In the same year, he took the chair of the head of the DECR secretariat for interaction between the church and society. He was in this position until 2001.
Vsevolod Chaplin, whose biography testifies to the rapid career development, was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1999. And in 2001, he took the place of the deputy head of the DECR, Metropolitan Kirill. He held this position until 2009, overseeing church publications, a communication service, and two secretariats - public and inter-Christian relations. Administrative work required him to participate frequently in various events: meetings, conferences, negotiations. Among other things, he dealt with issues of relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Vatican, as well as state power. When the expert council of the State Duma Committee for Associations and Religious Organizations was created in 2004, Vsevolod Anatolyevich Chaplin immediately joined it. Moreover, he was one of the members of the Central Committee in the World Council of Churches.
Exaltation under Patriarch Cyril
When Patriarch Alexy II passed away in 2008, Chaplin’s position changed dramatically with the role of his patron, Metropolitan Kirill, who ultimately occupied the patriarchal throne. Firstly, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, whose biography is closely connected with this person, became his deputy at the World Russian People’s Cathedral. Secondly, he took the post of head of the newly formed Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations. Since 2009, he has been in charge of all official contacts of the patriarchy with public institutions, associations and organizations.
His role in the life of the church also became more visible after an agreement was reached between the United Russia party and the Russian Orthodox Church MP. Chaplin, by order of the head of state, rejoined the Council for Interaction of Religious Associations. At his post as head of the synodal department, he monitors the activities of the State Duma in order to make proposals, hold consultations and uphold the interests of the Orthodox Church. In addition, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin is a member of two commissions in the Public Chamber: on regional development and self-government and on interethnic relations and freedom of conscience.
Other activities and church rewards
As a priest, Chaplin is the rector of one of the capital's churches - the Church of St. Nicholas on the Three Mountains, which is located in the Presnensky district.
Vsevolod Chaplin is a teacher at the Orthodox University of St. Tikhon, holding the post of assistant professor. In addition, he has membership in the Union of Writers of Russia and the Academy of Russian Literature. The archpriest often speaks on television and on the radio. He even regularly broadcasts some programs as a radio host.
As a priest, he is distinguished by extremely conservative views. Not to mention even his sharp assessment of euthanasia and homosexual marriage, Chaplin actively protests against the teaching of biology in terms of evolutionary positions. And some time ago he proposed to create a structure of Sharia courts for Muslims in Russia.
His activities are marked by many church awards. He also has secular state awards. In 1996, he was awarded the Order of St. Prince Daniel of Moscow, III degree. The same distinction, but already II degree, was awarded to him in 2010. He received the Order of Moscow St. Innocent in 2005. Earlier, in 2003, he also received the Order of St. Anne of the II degree, which is the award of the Romanov dynasty. And in 2009, he became the owner of the Order of Friendship.
Statements by Vsevolod Chaplin
The priest holds a lot of different positions and is a public person by occupation. Therefore, it is not surprising that the constant attention of the media, which attracts Vsevolod Chaplin. His reviews of certain events, phenomena and problems often cause public resonance and a wave of harsh criticism. For example, the archpriest’s proposal to introduce a public dress code for Russian women caused a storm of indignation from citizens who accused him of violating constitutional freedoms. There was no trace of the former liberalism of the young patriarchal functionary, which became clear from Chaplin’s appeal to physically destroy the enemies of the faith, defending their religious shrines. Among other things, he declared that the church forces should have unleashed an armed war against the Bolsheviks after the Revolution, and in modern reality organize the patrolling of cities by Orthodox fighting squads. Chaplin’s friendship with the infamous Enteo and more than a tough stance against the punk band Pussy Riot speaks quite eloquently about his radical, almost extremist views. Chaplin defends the radicals who are engaged in the defeat of exhibitions, the disruption of concerts and theatrical performances, and also advocates active cooperation between the church and the state and the use of the latter's administrative, legislative, judicial and executive resources in church interests.
