21 October 2002
Brest Orthodox bishop dismissed, appointed to Mogilyov

 The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has dismissed Sofrony, the Bishop of Brest and Kobrin, and transferred him to the vacant chair of the Mogilyov and Mstislavl Eparchy.
His successor in Brest and Kobrin will be Ioann, the Bishop of Borisov and vicar with the Minsk Eparchy. He is expected to conduct his first service at the Saint Simon Cathedral in Brest in early November.
Representatives of the Brest and Kobrin Eparchy decline to comment on the Synod's decision. Circles close to the Church have been saddened at the news, linking Sofrony's dismissal to his involvement in the situation at the Saint Peter and Paul Church in Ruzhany, which has not seen service for five months. The parish ousted the local dean
whom they suspect of stealing church property and who enjoyed Sofrony's support. Despite his effort, Sofrony has failed to bring peace to
the community. Churchgoers have taken possession of the key and stood guard over the church for several months now. Many of their complaints addressed to the church authorities blame the conflict on Sofrony.