Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) leaving Ukraine for an indefinite period
Drabinko said that the session was closed due to his departure and professional activities. Answering a question of the UOJ correspondent, where he was going, the Metropolitan replied that it was a secret.
How long the Metropolitan is leaving the country "will depend on how well he will be welcomed," he said.
Drabinko explained that in connection with his professional activities, he cannot be tied to a "court or any other action." "I need to go to those places where I am invited to hold services," he said.
In his turn, the defendant's counsel said that Drabinko did not provide any documents confirming the trip.
The court hearings were attended by Drabinko and his lawyer, Judge Babenko and a counsel for the defense. The questioning began at 17:30 and ended at 21.15 on November 18. A motion of the defense counsel seeking the disqualification of Judge Babenko was rejected by the court.
The defense counsel accused the judge of bias, since she approved holding the questioning "behind closed doors", in the absence of the press and the people's deputies. The questioning behind closed doors was allowed due to Drabinko’s going abroad for a long time.
Read also
Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos
KTS students are making a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece, Mount Athos and Italy.
UOC cathedral celebrates its patronal feast in Ternopil
The service in the cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, concelebrated by four hierarchs.
MinCulture marks centenary of Soviet-era reserve at Lavra's Refectory Church
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture presented awards to the Reserve's employees on the occasion of the anniversary at the Refectory Church of the Lavra.
Conference to mark 1700th anniversary of Christianity adoption held in Georgia
In Georgia, representatives of the Church and the state noted the defining role of Christianity in the country's cultural development.
MP urges to ease pressure on UOC for sake of peace
Oleksii Honcharenko proposed compromises on language, historical memory, and Church issues as part of efforts to achieve peace, saying those who wish to attend the “Russian Church” should be allowed to do so.
Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community
A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.