Patriarch Kirill and abbess Feofaniya © Moscow City Diocese of the Russian Orthodox ChurchThe head of the Russian Orthodox Church has ordered a prominent prioress to part with her black Mercedes-Benz, reminding clerics that they should refrain from driving luxurious cars and instead use donations for charitable work.

Patriarch Kirill has “blessed” Mother Superior Feofaniya, the head of the Pokrovsky Monastery in Moscow, to sell off the S-Class Mercedes that she owns, Vladimir Legoyda, the Church’s spokesman, wrote on Telegram.

Money that is donated to the monastery must only be used for social and charitable activities, Patriarch Kirill clarified, according to the spokesman.

Legoyda noted that the Patriarch has repeatedly called upon clergy to stay away “from cars that are considered luxurious.”A few years ago, he pointed out that such vehicles had been used by ill-wishers to discredit the Church. 

Feofaniya made headlines earlier this month after the media discovered that she was driving a black Mercedes, which was reportedly valued at almost 9.5 million rubles (around $135,000).

The abbess has been in charge of the Pokrovsky Monastery for more than two decades. She also reportedly heads an Orthodox gymnasium and two hotels for pilgrims, which belong to the Church.

Two years ago, President Vladimir Putin awarded Feofaniya with an Order For Merit to the Fatherland at the Kremlin.

(C)RT 2020