SBU completes investigation into Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh) case
Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh). Photo: the press service of the Tulchyn Eparchy
The Security Service of Ukraine has completed investigative actions against Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh), reports the Tulchyn Eparchy.
Metropolitan Jonathan is accused of inciting hatred among the citizens of Ukraine on religious grounds and of intending to forcibly change the constitutional order of Ukraine by searching on the Internet, making, circulating and storing propaganda leaflets with anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian content and, according to SBU investigators, with the intention to further distribute them among the clergy through the eparchial office.
Vladyka categorically disagrees with the accusations brought against him. He calls them far-fetched and intends to bring to the court fragments of the video recordings of the searches by the SBU Office in the Vinnytsia region in the eparchial chancellery and the temporary residence, with gross violations of the search procedure, casting doubt on the version of the investigators of the above mentioned SBU Office about the origin of the leaflets.
The press service’s message also said that Metropolitan Jonathan protested against the official refusal of the investigator of the SBU Office in the Vinnytsia region to listen and record the testimony of forty declared defence witnesses – parishioners of the Nativity Cathedral of Tulchyn and rectors of the churches in favour of the accused.
"Metropolitan Jonathan was surprised and offended by the linguistic expert's comment that Christ is a mythical person. This 'Soviet' interpretation of the Bible also causes rejection," the Tulchyn Eparchy said in the statement.
As reported, the clergy of the Tulchyn Eparchy said they have full confidence in their ruling bishop.
Read also
Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination
The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.
ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful
Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah
Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.
In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"
Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.
In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon
In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.
Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”
A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.