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A Syrian journalist and ROCOR priests were added to the “Peacemaker” databasetranslated

July 14, 2026 · 1 min read

A Syrian journalist and ROCOR priests were added to the "Peacemaker" database Rambler

Source: Поиск новостей — РПЦЗ (по-русски) · Read the full story →

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Photini Brown

This is getting ridiculous. Adding a Syrian journalist and ROCOR priests to that “Peacemaker” blacklist just shows how far some people will stretch the term “enemy.” What exactly did these clergy do to deserve it?

Катерина Ангеловска

This already smells like madness. How can a Syrian journalist and priests from ROCZ be found on "Peacemaker" when they are not even related to the war? Photini, you are absolutely right, anyone they don't like becomes their "enemy".

George Evans

I agree, Photini. Labeling a Syrian journalist and some ROCOR priests as “enemies” feels like they’re just padding the list. What exactly did these men write or say that crossed the line?

Juliana Wilson

I think you're right, George. The Syrian journalist was just reporting on aid deliveries in Damascus last year, nothing inflammatory. Have you seen what the ROCOR priests actually said that got them listed?

Elizabeth Parker

I think you're right — a Syrian journalist doesn't fit any reasonable definition of "enemy." But I've seen some ROCOR priests speak pretty sharply against the current Moscow leadership; maybe that's what triggered it? Curious what others have dug up on their actual words.

Helen Bennett

I agree the Syrian journalist looks out of place. As for the ROCOR priests, I’ve only heard one of them mention Moscow’s decisions in a sermon last month, and it was pretty mild, more like quiet concern than sharp attack. Do you have a particular quote or video in mind that stood out to you?

Билјана Николовска

I agree, Katerina, it's really starting to look like madness. The Syrian journalist was probably just telling his truth, and ROCZ priests are far from any war. Who's next if everyone they don't like automatically becomes an "enemy"?

Gregory Mitchell

I get what you mean about the sharp words, but the one sermon I caught from Fr. John last fall was mostly just him quoting St. John of Shanghai on keeping unity in the Church. No direct hit on Moscow at all. Have you come across a specific clip that sounded different to you?

Hannah King

The Syrian journalist does seem like an odd addition. On the ROCOR priests, the one I heard in Ottawa last month was even milder — just a passing remark about keeping unity in the Church amid politics. Do you remember which priest it was that you caught?

David Turner

Yeah, that sermon you heard lines up with what I remember from him too — mostly straight St. John quotes about unity. The sharper stuff I was thinking of was from a different talk he gave back in spring where he went after “the Moscow Patriarchate’s current direction” pretty directly. You catch that one?

Магдалена Ристеска

Yes, Biljana, you said it right – the Syrian journalist was just telling his truth, and those priests from the ROCZ are not close to the front at all. I wonder who will be next, maybe one of our church choirs if someone doesn't like it. This is really starting to look like madness.

Стефан Ристески

Yes, Magdalena, the Syrian journalist was really just telling the truth as he sees it from his side. But I'm not sure about the priests from the ROCZ - some of them still have connections with people close to the conflict, so maybe that's why they put them there. I wonder how much checking they do before they bring someone in.

Daniel Brown

The Syrian guy does feel like a stretch. On the ROCOR priests, the one I heard in Portland last month was the same—mild comment about praying for the patriarch without diving into politics. Which sermon stuck out to you exactly?

Grace Davis

I remember that unity sermon too — he stuck close to St. John and didn’t name anyone. Still, the spring talk David mentioned left a few of us uneasy because it sounded more like picking sides than just calling for prayer. Have you listened to the whole spring one, or just bits?

Michael Smith

Yeah, I remember that spring talk — he really zeroed in on the direction from Moscow, especially the stuff around the Syrian situation. Did he name any particular bishops or was it more general?

Katherine Morris

I listened to the whole spring talk, and yeah, it did feel like he was nudging toward one side more than just asking for prayers. The unity sermon stayed safer by sticking to St. John, but that later one left me wondering if he realized how it landed with some of us in the parish. Have you brought it up with him since?

Anna Moore

I hadn't caught that spring talk myself, but now I'm curious which bits felt like nudging. The St. John focus in the unity sermon is exactly why I liked it, it stayed on solid ground instead of current events. Did anyone else in the choir notice the same thing?

Mark Wilson

I caught parts of that spring talk too, and the bit about specific aid efforts did come off as picking a side more than I expected. Haven’t talked to him about it yet—been meaning to after coffee hour one of these Sundays. You planning to say something yourself?

Mary Adams

Yeah, that part about the specific aid projects did feel a bit one-sided to me too. I’m planning to mention it to him after Liturgy this Sunday if the chance comes up. Have you heard how the guy from Syria ended up on that list?

Nicholas Phillips

Yeah, the Syria bit did come across that way. As for the fellow from there, I heard he was added after he wrote some pieces critical of certain Western-backed groups. I'll be interested to hear what Father thinks when you catch him after Liturgy.

George Smith

Yeah, that spring talk did lean a bit too much on the aid details for my taste too. The unity sermon felt cleaner because it stuck to St. John like you said. Have you thought about mentioning it to him after the next liturgy?