Photograph from the official website of the Municipal Council of Cascais / Câmara Municipal de Cascais
A few days ago, the International Community InformNapalm published a significant article titled The Moscow Church in Ukraine: Who Financed It and Why It Remains a Weapon of the Kremlin
And just a few days later, Portuguese society and Ukrainians residing temporarily or permanently in Portugal were stirred by news concerning the establishment of a new parish of the Russian Orthodox Church, commonly abbreviated as ROC, and officially known as the Moscow Patriarchate (MP), in one of the most renowned and prestigious towns in Portugal, Cascais.
Cascais is rightly regarded as the jewel of the Portuguese coast. However, it has “unexpectedly” become a hub for the “new Russians,” and so called “good Russians,” and not only oligarchs but also overt Putin supporters and, regrettably, politicians on the Kremlin’s payroll.
Screenshot taken from the official website of the Municipal Council of Cascais / Câmara Municipal de Cascais
The following is a translated quotation derived from the screenshot above:
“The municipality of Cascais has today officially completed the transfer of a plot of land for the construction of a Russian Orthodox Church and auxiliary buildings under full ownership rights. The ceremony was attended by Bishop Nestor of Korsun of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.”
“Thus, Cascais will have the first Russian Orthodox Church in the country, which, according to Bishop Nestor, “is a significant event for the entire Russian diaspora, not only in Portugal but worldwide, encompassing a broad spectrum of peoples.”
Carlos Carreiras, the Mayor of Cascais. This photograph was taken from the official website of the Municipal Council of Cascais (Câmara Municipal de Cascais).
“We hold the view that the development of Cascais is contingent upon respect for our collective identity and the integration of all those who have left their homeland and embraced this municipality as the foundation of their lives,” stated Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais. He underscored that the community encompasses representatives of 80% of the world’s nationalities and affirmed that this “integration of diverse cultures and faiths strengthens our resilience.”
As reported in a widely circulated newspaper, “the Russian capital, ‘steeped in blood,’ has been expanding its presence in Portugal since 2012: an ally of Putin holds multi-million-pound investments in mansions and five-star hotels.”
Such instances are not isolated, as Russian moneyed elites, ostensibly supporters of the “Russian world”, prefer to reside in comfortable, democratic Europe, bringing the ideology of Putinism with them.
This is regrettable, yet it represents only part of the problem.
The other half poses a greater threat to Europe. Russian agents, as well as agents of Russian influence who receive financial remuneration from the Kremlin, operate with ease throughout Europe. Portugal is no exception.
Photograph: The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which commenced on 24 February 2022, has resulted in a wave of diplomatic expulsions in several countries, including Portugal. Journalist Rui Araujo
This is merely a prelude; the main act is beginning now.
According to reports, the Cascais City Council has approved the request of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Religious-Cultural Association “Luzortodoxia” for the construction of an Orthodox church on Rua Senhora dos Navegantes, Bairro dos Pescadores.
As we can observe, the Russian Orthodox Church thrives in Europe, and naturally, in Portugal as well. This institution has, for decades, waged a political, economic, and ideological war not only against Ukraine but against the entire democratic world.
This institution functions as a powerful channel for the dissemination of the ideology of the “Russian world.” Europeans have yet to fully grasp the dangers posed by this phenomenon; however, as one of the fundamental principles of jurisprudence states, ignorance of the law does not exempt one from criminal liability.
The political lobbying and propagation of the Moscow Patriarchate’s ideas are directly financed by the Kremlin and Russian oligarchs affiliated with it. The Russian criminal underworld is also involved. The Kremlin constructs churches, maintains thousands of parishes, and advances its interests through local media and politicians.
Thus, at present, the Kremlin is extending its influence primarily over the consciousness of the ordinary Portuguese citizen through the construction of yet another church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The narratives propagated by the Kremlin through the mouthpiece of the Russian Orthodox Church are nothing new, as the Kremlin has been pursuing this strategy for years.
Photograph: The Russian Orthodox Church located in the city of Porto
At present, Moscow, represented by the Russian Church of dictator Putin, has secured a highly advantageous “prime location”, a plot of land measuring 1,593 square metres in the centre of Cascais, leased for an undisclosed number of years at a symbolic rent of 600 euros per month. (As of August 2025, standard rental prices, according to “Idealista” data, stand at 22.2 euros per square metre, which would amount to approximately 35,000 euros per month.)
The information cited is taken from the official page of António Pinto Pereira, a prominent lawyer, university professor, and political figure. He is currently running as an independent candidate for the presidency of the Cascais City Council in the 2025 municipal elections, with the support of the “NÓS, CIDADÃOS” (“WE, THE CITIZENS”) coalition.
Precisely who among Portuguese politicians and influential figures stands behind these developments remains to be investigated and proven. However, as the Portuguese saying goes, “Logo se vê”, time will tell.
P.S. By the way, if I were in the position of the Spanish authorities, I would pay close attention to this matter. The Orthodox Parish of Saint John Chrysostom (Archdiocese of Spain and Portugal, Moscow Patriarchate), Paróquia Ortodoxa “São João Crisóstomo” (Arquidiocese de Espanha e Portugal, Patriarcado de Moscovo), serves as the sole ecclesiastical structure for both Portugal and Spain.
Follow InformNapalm’s news section for further updates, with more disclosures to come.
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