The head of the Russian Orthodox Church wields enormous influence over more than 100 million believers and is a powerful ally to President Vladimir Putin — nowhere moreso than in the ideological battle for Ukraine.
While Patriarch Kirill projects an ethos of spiritual humility, many Russians see him as a wealthy and powerful member of Putin's elite inner circle.abc.net.au/news/meet-patriarch-kirill-orthodox-church-leader-and-putin-ally/101858322When Patriarch Kirill sat down with Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov he might not have realised the meeting would embroil him in controversy.
His attire was typical of a man of the cloth. His white headscarf was embossed with religious symbols and a gold cross signified his senior status within the church.For years, rumours swirled around this flashy piece of jewellery after it was first spotted on the patriarch during a tour of Ukraine in 2009.
With the esteemed religious figure's designer collection an object of fascination online, a doctored image of the meeting appeared on the church's official website in April 2012.No-one would have been the wiser if it wasn't for a tiny, telling detail, which gave the lie away.Loading Twitter content The terrible airbrushing was mocked online, calling the moral authority of the church into question and embarrassing senior figures.
An overeager staff member was blamed for the incident, and the church promised the manipulation would be investigated and "the guilty ones punished severely".ExpensiveThe mysterious leader wields enormous influence as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, bestowing guidance to more than
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