Russian Orthodox priest ends presidential campaign

September 20, 2011

A suspended Orthodox priest has withdrawn from Russia's presidential campaign, having failed to gain support from the Orthodox Church.

Father Ioann Okhlobystin, who had withdrawn from ministry to pursue a stage career, had entered the electoral contest as a protest candidate. But he pulled out this week, admitting that he had failed to gain an endorsement from Orthodox leaders.

 

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Further information:

• Russian priest ends run for Kremlin (AsiaNews)
• Orthodox cleric could add spice to Russia's presidential election (CWN 9/07)