Russian Orthodox patriarch in hot water over watch

MOSCOW — Russia is abuzz with talk of the Orthodox Church’s wealth and its close links to the Kremlin after an expensive watch was seemingly airbrushed from the wrist of the church’s patriarch in a website picture.

Bloggers earlier this week spotted the photo of Patriarch Kirill on the church’s website, but by Thursday it appeared editors had doctored the image, erasing the watch but failing to get rid of its reflection.

Reacting to public indignation, the patriarch’s office promptly apologized for “a mistake” of an employee and promised “severe punishment” for the culprit.

Prominent Orthodox followers have lambasted the church for the incident, including anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny who said it was “shameful.” Many others have questioned if it was appropriate for a man of the cloth to own such expensive things.

A number of bloggers on Friday, however, had started spreading identical messages of support for Kirill, with his photo and a caption, saying: “We love you, Patriarch Kirill!”

Rumors about Kirill’s timepiece first surfaced in 2009 when a photo by a Ukrainian journalist clearly showed the watch and its make — a Breguet, which retails for around $30,000.

Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyev said the patriarch had told him recently that he owns a Breguet that was a gift, but that he never wears it, opting for an inexpensive Russian watch.

The church has experienced an unprecedented revival in Russia since the collapse of the officially atheist Soviet Union in 1991. Although church and state are separate under the constitution, the church has claimed a leading role in setting moral guidelines for society. But, until recently, it rarely caused such strong outbursts of anti-clerical sentiment.

In March the church came in for criticism when a Moscow court ordered three female punk rockers to remain in jail until late April for staging a “punk prayer” to deliver the nation from Vladimir Putin — then prime minister, soon to again be president — in a surprise performance in the country’s main Orthodox cathedral.

The church described the performance as “blasphemous,” but did not speak against incarceration of the women, two of whom are mothers. Thousands of believers signed a petition urging the church to forgive the band.

In an apparent reference to the petitioners, Kirill said last week that his “heart breaks” to hear that some Orthodox people condone the “blasphemy.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.