A high-profile Chechen commander and a nationalist Russian Orthodox monastic priest have publicly reconciled in a staged video, capping a weekslong feud that began after the priest delivered an inflammatory anti-Muslim sermon and the commander labeled him a "moron in a cassock."
The dispute began in late May when Schema-Hegumen Gavriil, a priest since suspended by the Valaam Monastery, claimed in a sermon that Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha in Moscow were an "army" that could "slaughter Muscovites" on command.
The remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Apti Alaudinov, a Chechen general and commander of the Kremlin-loyal "Akhmat" special forces fighting in Ukraine. Alaudinov's insult, in turn, provoked the radical Orthodox group "Sorok Sorokov" ("Forty Forties"), which filed official complaints and demanded the general's resignation for insulting the clergy.
After an initial, dismissive apology from Alaudinov was rejected, the commander held an eight-hour meeting with the Orthodox activists. On June 19, the conflict was formally resolved when Alaudinov posted a video showing him seated beside Gavriil. In the clip, Alaudinov offers a personal apology, and both men declare the dispute over, stating they have no disagreements and are united in their "fight against the common enemy in Ukraine," in a carefully managed display of unity meant to quell potential inter-religious friction between pro-war factions.