Russian Orthodox Church adds social media rules to ordination oath for clergy

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…