Full book here: https://followthesaints.com/books/the-heresy-of-patriarch-kirill
The book is an Orthodox Christian apologetic study, authored by Silouan Wright and Panagiotis Makris, that compiles primary quotations and patristic responses to argue Patriarch Kirill’s public theology departs from historic Orthodox teaching.
The book presents arguments that (a) documents Kirill’s words and actions, (b) contrasts them with consensus patrum, and (c) argues for canonical remedies such as cessation of commemoration.
A brief outline of the book:
1. Ecumenism with Rome: documents liturgical recognition and joint declarations and treats them as departures from Orthodox patristic norms.
2. Religious universalism: highlights statements equating Orthodox prayer with other confessions and religions.
3. Sergianism and Soviet legacy: traces institutional continuities and DECR/KGB connections from the Soviet era to present.
4. Nationalism and the Russian World: critiques ethnophyletism and the sacralization of nation.
5. War theology: examines claims that dying for the nation cleanses sins and the liturgical/disciplinary enforcement of such views.
Summary of each chapter:
I Ecumenism with Rome
Chapter 1 Recognition of the Pope: documents liturgical gestures and public recognition of the Pope.
Chapter 2 The Havana Declaration: analyzes the 2016 Havana meeting and its theological implications.
Chapter 3 The Selective Standard Havana vs Crete: contrasts Kirill’s Havana approach with the Crete council’s standards.
Chapter 4 The Permanent Partnership with Rome: examines language and acts that suggest an ongoing partnership and the question of commemorating the Pope.
II Religious Universalism
Chapter 5 Muslims and Orthodox Pray to the Same God: compiles statements equating prayer across faiths and critiques them patristically.
Chapter 6 Recognizing Roman Catholic Saints and Sacred Spaces: documents recognition of non‑Orthodox sanctities and sacred places.
Chapter 7 The World Council of Churches The Cradle of a United Church: traces long involvement with WCC and theological concerns.
Chapter 8 Praying with Monophysites: addresses joint prayer with Oriental Orthodox and Christological worries.
III Sergianism KGB and the Soviet Legacy
Chapter 9 Glorifying Sergianism and the KGB Church: examines positive language about figures tied to Sergianist compromises.
Chapter 10 Eternal Memory for the Anathematized: documents commemorations of controversial figures.
Chapter 11 Viva Cuba Kirill Cuba and Fidel Castro: recounts political friendships and public gestures.
Chapter 12 Denying the Ottoman Neomartyrs: addresses minimization or denial of certain martyr narratives.
Chapter 13 KGB and the DECR: traces institutional links between DECR and Soviet security structures.
IV Nationalism and Heavenly Citizenship
Chapter 14 Russian World Ethnophyletism: critiques the theology of a sacralized national identity.
Chapter 15 Uranopolitism vs Nationalism: contrasts heavenly citizenship with politicized national theology.
V War Theology and Holy Russia
Chapter 16 Does Dying in War Wash Away All Our Sins?: examines claims about battlefield martyrdom and sin.
Chapter 17 Can War Be Called Holy?: theological analysis of “holy war” language.
Chapter 18 The Canonical Verdict Clergy in Military Affairs: surveys canonical limits on clergy involvement in warfare.
Chapter 19 When Can War Be Considered Self‑Defense?: criteria and critique.
Chapter 20 The Heavenly Kingdom St Lazar’s Choice: patristic exemplars and their use in modern rhetoric.
Chapter 21 What Happens to Priests Who Pray for Peace?: documents disciplinary responses to peace‑praying clergy.
Chapter 22 What Did Patriarch Kirill Bless?: catalogues blessings and liturgical endorsements related to conflict.
VI The Case for Cessation
Chapter 23 The Saints Who Ceased Commemoration: historical precedents for stopping commemoration of hierarchs.
Chapter 24 On Heresy Synods and Right Belief: defines heresy and the role of synods in adjudication.
Chapter 25 Why Communion with Heresy Requires Separation: canonical and pastoral arguments for separation.
Chapter 26 You’re Not a Saint: addresses claims that institutional status equals sanctity.
VII Ukraine Canonical Witness
Chapter 27 Understanding the Ukrainian Churches: canonical background and distinctions among Ukrainian jurisdictions.
Chapter 28 The UOC Ceases Commemoration: documents the Ukrainian Church’s canonical responses and precedents.
VIII Against Misuse
Chapter 29 Correct Critique Is Not a Bridge to Schism: warns against schismatic exploitation of critique.
Chapter 30 In Defense of the Moscow Patriarchate Saints: defends the veneration of many Russian saints while criticizing specific actions.
IX The COVID Protocols
Chapter 31 The COVID Orders: records pandemic directives and liturgical changes.
Chapter 32 Blessed Disobedience or Evil Obedience?: theological evaluation of obedience under contested orders.
X The Defense of Faith Over Institution
Chapter 33 Joe Wilson: case study of a critic and the institutional response.
Chapter 34 Tell Him His Fault Between You and Him Alone?: pastoral and canonical reflections on correction and rebuke.
Conclusion and Appendices
Conclusion: summarizes the canonical and pastoral implications and urges informed action.
Appendix A On Consensus Patrum: detailed methodological defense of using patristic consensus.
Appendix B The Canonical Case Against the OCU: focused canonical argument regarding the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.