Sergiy Romanov

Sergiy Romanov is a Russian former priest and religious figure. Romanov has become known for various controversial statements and opinions, such as claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin is enabling the rise of the Antichrist, his outspoken admiration for Joseph Stalin, and his belief in Judeo-masonic conspiracies.
Romanov and his followers seized Sredneuralsk women’s monastery and stayed there from June until December 29, 2020.
== Biography ==
=== Early life ===
Romanov was born Nikolai Romanov.The exorcist How a confessed murderer became one of Russia’s most famous priests, took over a convent, and started cursing the Church and the state - 8 July 2020 - Meduza
=== Imprisonment and religious conversion ===
Romanov served as an Inspector in the Pushkino police, before a 1985 sentence to serve 13 years in Penal Colony 13 for murder. The prison colony outside Nizhny Tagil was devoted exclusively to housing law enforcement officers. While there, Romanov earned his name as an Orthodox activist by helping to begin construction of a local cathedral.
After his release in 1997, Romanov claims to have walked from Nizhny Tagil to Yekaterinburg on foot.Inside Russia’s secretive cult of Tsar worship: How royalism is thriving 100 years after murder of Nicholas II - Oliver Carroll - 3 November 2017 - The Independent - Retrieved 1 September 2020 Archiepiscope Vikenty inducted Romanov into the priesthood despite his murder conviction. Romanov's supporters deny that he was ever imprisoned.Coronavirus: Covid-denying priest Father Sergiy Romanov seizes Russian monastery - 18 June 2020 - BBC News - Retrieved 30 August 2020
=== Priesthood ===
Romanov was appointed to build and lead Sredneuralsk Women’s Monastery outside Yekaterinburg in 2005. Hegumen Varvara Krygina took over as leader of the convent afterwards. The convent began to take in orphans and runaways who desired sanctuary, where they were reportedly subject to beatings and used in land disputes. Romanov cultivated friendships with figures in the media and political figures who attended his services.
=== Sredneuralsk monastery occupation ===
On 16 June 2020, Romanov forcibly entered the Sredneuralsk Convent, ejecting Mother Superior Varvara and several nuns, and set up an armed perimeter with CossacksCoronavirus-Denying Russian Priest Captures Church With Cossack Fighters - Updated 17 June 2020 - The Moscow Times - Retrieved 31 August 2020 and Donbass War veterans as guards.Fire and Brimstone: The Rise and Fall of Russia’s Coronavirus-Denying Rebel Priest - Samantha Berkhed - 4 August 2020 - The Moscow Times - Retrieved 1 September 2020 The territory controlled by Romanov exceeds 247 acres.
On 3 July, Romanov was expelled by the church,Coronavirus-denying Father Sergiy expelled by Russian Church - 3 July 2020 - as well as his followers with whom he was ensconced.A rally of supporters of Father Sergius took place near the Yekaterinburg diocese - Bhavi Mandalia - 20 August 2020 - Pledge Times Metropolitan Kirill approved the decision on 24 July.Russian Patriarch Approves Decision To Strip Rogue Priest Of Rank - 24 July 2020 - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
On 12 July, Romanov made a demand to President Putin, stating in a YouTube video, "I offer at an international level that you, Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, transfer powers to me," saying he would restore order in the country within three days. Romanov then threatened to declare a "full-scale spiritual war" against both the government and the church if he did not get his way.Defrocked Coronavirus-Denying Priest Tells Putin to Step Down - 13 July 2020 - The Moscow Times - Retrieved 1 September 2020
On 7 August, a 15-year-old girl reportedly died within the confines of the convent. Romanov published a YouTube video in which the cause was said to be brain cancer, though Russian authorities announced they would investigate.15-Year-Old Girl Dies in Monastery Captured By Rogue Priest - 7 August 2020 - The Moscow Times
On 20 August, a rally of Romanov's followers staged a protest at the Yekaterinburg diocese.Supporters of Father Sergius dispersed after the action near the Yekaterinburg diocese - 20 August 2020 - Interfax - Retrieved 30 August 2020
On the morning of 29 December, law enforcement stormed the monastery and captured Romanov by force, and charged him with the crime of inciting minors to commit suicide. His attorney, Svetlana Gerasimova, confirmed that she had not been allowed to speak with him since he had been captured. Videos began circulating online showing the law enforcement officers clashing with Romanov's supporters, mostly nuns, at the time of his arrest.Russia Detains Ex-Priest Suspected of Encouraging Children to 'Die for Russia' - 29 December 2020 - The Moscow Times - Retrieved 30 December 2020
==== Aftermath ====
Several security officials employed by French DIY chain Leroy Merlin were subsequently found to have been followers of Romanov.French DIY chain Leroy Merlin caught up in Russian Orthodox sect affair - 3 March 2021 - Intelligence Online - Retrieved 7 March 2021
After engaging in a hunger strike, Romanov was transferred to Matrosskaya Tishina,Бывшего схимонаха Сергия перевели в "Матросскую тишину" - 14 January 2021 - Ria Novosti - Retrieved 28 March 2021 and subsequently transferred to another prison dedicated to housing former law enforcement officers.Бывшего схимонаха Сергия перевели из "Матросской тишины" в СИЗО №4 - 25 January 2021 - RIA Novosti - Retrieved 28 March 2021 The Moscow City Court refused to release Romanov.Мосгорсуд отказался освободить бывшего схиигумена Сергия из СИЗО - 8 February 2021 - RIA Novosti - Retrieved 28 March 2021
On 14 April 2021, Romanov's remaining supporters were evicted from the monastery.Bailiffs evict excommunicated monk's supporters from monastery in Urals - 14 April 2021 - TASS - Retrieved 18 May 2021
On 29 November, prosecutors asked for a sentence of four years;Moscow Prosecutor Demands Four Years In Prison For Rebellious Priest - 29 November 2021 - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Retrieved 6 February 2022 he was sentenced to three and a half years the next day.Rebellious Russian Priest Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years In Prison - 30 November 2021 - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Retrieved 6 February 2022Russian Monk Who Called Covid A ‘Fake Pandemic’ Sent To Jail For 3.5 Years - ABP News Bureau - 2 December 2021 - ABP Live - Retrieved 20 March 2022
== Religious views ==
Romanov is seen as the leader of the tsarebozhniki or "Tsar worshipper" movement in the Russian Orthodox Church, a movement dedicated to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.They believe that the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ was insufficient, and that the deaths of Nicholas II and his family assisted with the redemption of humanity.
Romanov also performs exorcisms.
== References ==
Category:Real people
Category:Real religious figures
Category:Real Russian religious figures
Category:Real police officers
Category:Real Russian police officers
Category:Real people convicted for murder