Всеволод Чаплин

Controversy swirled around Vsevolod Chaplin. He was a prominent figure in the Russian Orthodox Church. He served as the church’s spokesman from 2009 to 2015. Vsevolod Chaplin’s life ended suddenly in 2020. He died of cardiac arrest outside the Church of the Venerable Theodore the Studite at Nikitsky Gate in Moscow. This was where he had served as prior since 2016. Vsevolod Chaplin’s tenure as spokesman was marked by both his strong media presence and controversial views. His dismissal in 2015 was attributed to conflicts with Patriarch Kirill. Despite the official explanation of a restructuring, Chaplin himself claimed disagreements with the Patriarch led to his removal. He even suggested that the Patriarch’s leadership wouldn’t last. Following his dismissal, Vsevolod Chaplin continued to court controversy. He expressed support for Stalin’s repression. These actions, which led to the deaths of millions of Russians, were defended by Chaplin as necessary for eliminating “internal enemies.” His views extended to a belief in justified killing. He argued that even God had authorized the destruction of people for the edification of others. His conservative stance led him to criticize same-sex marriage in the US, labeling it a “godless and sinful thing.” He also called for the replacement of Russia’s political elite with devout leaders. He believed Russia’s purpose was to counter what he termed the “American project.” Vsevolod Chaplin even opposed legislation aiming to re-criminalize domestic violence. He died outside the very church where he once held a position of authority. His legacy remains a complex mix of religious service and deeply controversial pronouncements.