SBU reports results of searches in UOC churches in Kyiv and Kherson regions

Searches in UOC eparchies. Photo: facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine

The SBU press service said that officers found "suspicious individuals, unregistered weapons and Russian propaganda materials" at UOC facilities in Kyiv and Kherson regions.

The report said that searches "on the territory of St. Nicholas's Skete revealed 16 suspicious individuals. Among them were men of athletic build. They were on the site illegally as civilians have no right to be in the exclusion zone”.

Now in relation to these people, administrative reports have been drawn up under Article 46-1 of the Code of Administrative Offences "Violation of requirements of the radiation safety regime in the locations affected by radioactive contamination".

"Their involvement in crimes against state security is being checked," the statement added.

The SBU also said that in the attic of St. Nicholas's Skete they found "camouflage netting, which is usually used for military purposes: to camouflage weapons, equipment and engineering structures".

In the premises of the Kherson Eparchy, SBU officers found "a rifle without relevant permits, a flag and a golden coat of arms of Russia".

"The special service also took the information about several clergymen, who probably have contacts with citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, for scrutiny. In addition, law enforcers found propaganda materials glorifying Russia," the report noted.

Earlier, the SBU is conducting searches in Kharkiv and Izium eparchies.

Read also

Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka

A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.

Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control

Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.

In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots

The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.

388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report

The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.

Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path

During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.

His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast

During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.