One of the Russian Orthodox Church’s most senior bishops in Europe has been abruptly removed from his post for “disciplinary reasons” — though reports suggest the real issue may be his unexpected interest in poker.
According to Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe, Metropolitan Nestor has been defrocked and is under investigation for allegedly using church funds to enter tournaments, amid speculation that his softer stance on the war in Ukraine also played a part.
Who Is The "Poker Priest"?
On November 8, Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, announced that Metropolitan Nestor, who oversaw parishes across France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, had been dismissed and placed under church investigation.