A priest from the Russian Orthodox Church has called upon believers to engage in prayer for the restoration of access to Telegram, following recent actions by Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, to impose stricter limitations on the messaging platform. According to The Moscow Times, Alexander Mikushin, who serves at the Pokrovsky Cathedral in Barnaul, emphasized the importance of seeking divine guidance for officials involved in the decision-making process regarding the platform’s accessibility.
Telegram’s Role and Recent Developments
Mikushin articulated that Telegram transcends its function as a mere communication tool, asserting that it serves as a vital space for “prayer, heartfelt conversation, and helping one’s neighbor.” In a bid to influence the situation, he even composed a prayer beseeching wisdom and patience for the employees of the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Communications. The prayer implores, “Lord, grant wisdom, patience, and discernment… Enlighten them, Lord, for the good of the people and for Your glory.”
On February 10, Roskomnadzor announced its intention to escalate measures against Telegram, citing the platform’s repeated non-compliance with Russian law. By February 13, reports indicated that access issues had been experienced in 64 regions throughout Russia, as noted by monitoring estimates from The Moscow Times.
Telegram has emerged as a prominent digital platform in Russia, with data from MTS AdTech revealing a significant increase in its user base, which grew from 91 million in October to 105 million in November. This surge coincided with the complete blockage of WhatsApp in Russia on February 11, further propelling Telegram’s popularity.
Moreover, Telegram has played a crucial role for Russian forces during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, recent outages have raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities in Russian communications on the battlefield. Reports suggest that Ukrainian troops have been launching localized counterattacks, leveraging disruptions in Russian communication channels, including Telegram.
Mikushin has a history of advocating against online restrictions, having participated in a 2018 rally titled “For a Free Internet,” which supported individuals facing prosecution for their online expressions. Following his recent comments, a senior church official advised clergy to refrain from framing the blocking of Telegram in religious contexts.
In a related note, Bishop Pitirim (Tvorogov) of the Skopin Diocese previously attributed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to what he described as a rise in “unclean forces” due to occult practices and abortions, suggesting that these elements obstruct the pursuit of peace.
Russian Orthodox Priest Urges People to Pray for End to Telegram Messenger App Ban
A priest from the Russian Orthodox Church has called upon believers to engage in prayer for the restoration of access to Telegram, following recent actions by Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, to impose stricter limitations on the messaging platform. According to The Moscow Times, Alexander Mikushin, who serves at the Pokrovsky Cathedral in Barnaul, emphasized the importance of seeking divine guidance for officials involved in the decision-making process regarding the platform’s accessibility.
Telegram’s Role and Recent Developments
Mikushin articulated that Telegram transcends its function as a mere communication tool, asserting that it serves as a vital space for “prayer, heartfelt conversation, and helping one’s neighbor.” In a bid to influence the situation, he even composed a prayer beseeching wisdom and patience for the employees of the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Communications. The prayer implores, “Lord, grant wisdom, patience, and discernment… Enlighten them, Lord, for the good of the people and for Your glory.”
On February 10, Roskomnadzor announced its intention to escalate measures against Telegram, citing the platform’s repeated non-compliance with Russian law. By February 13, reports indicated that access issues had been experienced in 64 regions throughout Russia, as noted by monitoring estimates from The Moscow Times.
Telegram has emerged as a prominent digital platform in Russia, with data from MTS AdTech revealing a significant increase in its user base, which grew from 91 million in October to 105 million in November. This surge coincided with the complete blockage of WhatsApp in Russia on February 11, further propelling Telegram’s popularity.
Moreover, Telegram has played a crucial role for Russian forces during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, recent outages have raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities in Russian communications on the battlefield. Reports suggest that Ukrainian troops have been launching localized counterattacks, leveraging disruptions in Russian communication channels, including Telegram.
Mikushin has a history of advocating against online restrictions, having participated in a 2018 rally titled “For a Free Internet,” which supported individuals facing prosecution for their online expressions. Following his recent comments, a senior church official advised clergy to refrain from framing the blocking of Telegram in religious contexts.
In a related note, Bishop Pitirim (Tvorogov) of the Skopin Diocese previously attributed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to what he described as a rise in “unclean forces” due to occult practices and abortions, suggesting that these elements obstruct the pursuit of peace.