The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has appealed to the Kazakh faithful not to support the proposal of former hieromonk Jacob Vorontsov to create an independent structure from the ROC in Kazakhstan. This is reported by RIA Novosti.
"In connection with the spread on social media of the initiative to form a separate organization outside the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, we appeal to all Orthodox Christians and citizens of the republic to refrain from participating in the implementation of this idea, which can lead to conflicts and division among the population," representatives of the public relations department of the Metropolitan district of the Kazakhstan Diocese said.
It is noted that this proposal was put forward by former clergyman Iakov Vorontsov, who had previously been defrocked due to serious violations of the canons. It is also reported that according to ancient church practice, such persons are called "stripped", who have lost the right to conduct divine services and perform the sacraments, to teach spiritual blessings and to wear the vestments of the clergy.
In addition, the archdiocese emphasizes that any speech by an exiled cleric on behalf of the Orthodox Church is illegal, since Vorontsov deliberately misleads society by trying to present himself as a true representative of the Church and provoke interreligious and interethnic conflicts within the country.

According to the materials of RIA Novosti and Газета.ru