While the conviction of former Cabramatta church priest Alexis Rosentool on child sexual abuse charges, has been a shocking event in our community, far more shocking have been some of the responses, especially from clergy. Arguably the most shocking, has been the controversial sermon delivered by Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky during the liturgy at The Protection of the Mother of God on Sunday the 29th of June 2025. What’s added to the controversy about this video, is that it was removed from the YouTube channel of the church within 24 hours of its original posting. The reasons for its removal remain unclear however it has given the impression of some sort of coverup in the face of the concerning views it expressed.
Why is it controversial?
There are a number of reasons this sermon can be seen as controversial and troubling:
It was delivered in direct reference to, and context of the Rosentool conviction only days earlier. On any other day it may not have caused a ripple but it was completely connected to the recent events.
It told its audience, the faithful laity, in no uncertain terms, that:
“It is none of your business to judge priests.”
“Sheep do not judge their shepherd, regardless who he may be”
“To judge priests, is to judge Christ himself.”
These statements by any normal standards, can be interpreted as arrogant, condescending and simply rude. To have them uttered by a priest is shocking. The statement “To judge priests, is to judge Christ himself” goes a step further, and by extension indicates a belief by Archpriest Boris, that he as a priest, is equal to Christ himself. It is hard to interpret it any other way. Such a belief is blasphemous and theologically false.
Rather than validating the rightful hurt & shock of the community, it attempts to reframe and manipulate this matter, by blaming the parishioners for falling into the “temptation” of sinful judgement rather than condemning the real sins of the convicted criminal Rosentool. This is a classic case of “victim blaming” whereby the blame is placed not on the abuser, but in this case the congregation for daring to be outraged and horrified by the conviction of a former priest of that very parish.
The whole tone of this sermon is more akin to a lecture and a scolding. Most disturbing is the point at 2:02 (in Russian) and 2.30 (in English) which Archpriest Boris says: “Be very, very careful…”. This could be interpreted, and indeed does seem to have a threatening tone about it. Given the context of the sermon, one could be forgiven in thinking, that there is a subtle hint here for people to not talk or discuss the crimes and convictions of Rosentool.
At 1:07, Archpriest Boris references the release of the official statement of ROCOR Archbishop of Australia, Archbishop George (Schaffer). If anything at all, it is this official statement from his hierarch that Archpriest Boris should have read first. However, oddly and almost defiantly he states (from 1:09) that: “I will not even go into the details!”. One needs to wonder how in the circumstances, Archpriest Boris finds the conviction of his predecessor so unimportant and trivial, that he could not be bothered to even read an official diocesan statement about it?
From 2:37 Archpriest Boris implores everyone to listen to the voice of the Church. However, given that he has just refused to read the official diocesan statement which technically is the voice of the church, one wonders which other church he wants us to listen to? Is it the voice of the Church that hushes up abuse and seeks to silences its members with flowery rhetoric about pride and judgement? Is it the church of the cult of Fr Alexis? This detail of the sermon is particularly nonsensical if you really think about it.
From 2:40 Archpriest Boris says: “Let us be careful that our dark judgemental eye does not leave a stain on our one True Holy Church”. With this sentence, one’s head begins to really spin at the manipulative language. At this point Archpriest Boris now has fully taken the blame from the truly dark stain on the Church that is the pedophile Alexis Rosentool and his crimes, and placed it directly on his parishioners on account of their judgemental eye. This is nothing short of breathtaking and manipulative rhetoric.
At 1:37 Archpriest Boris acknowledges that the conviction has divided the community. While this technically is true, it leads one to question that if one side is AGAINST a convicted pedophile, does this mean that there is actually another side that is FOR the pedophile? If this is the case, that there is a group of people that continues, despite a years long investigation, an overwhelming mountain of evidence and the conviction by a jury, to still SUPPORT Rosentool nonetheless, then serious questions need to be asked. Who are these people and why do they continue to support him? Are they blinded by some bizarre loyalty or have they come under some sort of evil spell? This is a serious challenge for the ROCOR Australia administration and one that they urgently need to address.
The general message is so completely contrary to what any community would expect from their pastor at such a time, especially given the connection of Rosentool to Cabramatta parish. Any reasonable and caring community leader, let alone a senior priest, would be offering empathy, support and a pledge to improve standards and never let this happen again. Instead what Fr Boris delivered to those that trusted and looked up to him, was a serious betrayal of their trust, a lecture and a thorough berating about their own rightful feelings and outrage about a convicted predator and abuser.
Conclusions
This “sermon”, when listened to in detail, is a truly disturbing piece of speech writing. Given that Archpriest Boris is known to write his sermons in advance, it would be fair to speculate that he, and possibly whoever may have helped him draft it, took their time and put a lot of thought into it. This was no off-the-cuff remark in the heat of the moment. It was thoroughly intentional, planned and executed speech.
Most obviously, the most troubling part of this sermon is that it is clearly supportive and defensive of a convicted pedophile priest. While Archpriest Boris does not explicitly say he supports Rosentool, all the indications are there:
The refusal to read the official, and incidentally very well written, diocesan statement that does acknowledge Rosentool’s crimes, the sorrow they caused and expresses sorrow and regret.
The absolute refusal to personally condemn, at least in the slightest way, the crimes and offer any empathy or support to the very parish where Rosentool served and likely began his evil behaviour.
The manipulative rhetoric about judgement, pride, dark stains, temptations etc. etc. clearly aimed at his parishioners.
The threatening, aggressive and rude tone.
It now begs the question of what is the actual position of Archpriest Boris and the Cabramatta church council? Does he support Alexis Rosentool and if so are there are other sympathizers among the clergy that also stand with him? How far does the network of these supporters extend? Does the Church Council still have confidence in Archpriest Boris? The people of the Cabramatta parish deserve honesty, transparency and reassurance. The good and faithful people of the whole Russian Orthodox community in Australia deserve answers.
