Maliuk: Based on SBU materials, 19 clerics of UOC stripped of citizenship

SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk. Photo: interfax.com.ua

Based on the materials of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the authorities have stripped 19 clerics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of their Ukrainian citizenship, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, said in an interview with interfax.com.ua.

According to him, the Special Service opened criminal proceedings against 61 clerics and "courts have already issued seven verdicts against individual clerics who sided with the enemy".

"The presence of a cassock and a censer is not an aggravating circumstance, but it does not exempt from criminal liability either," Maliuk said. “FSB agents in cassocks have no place in a country at war. Let the traitors not even dream of 'atoning' for their sins.”

As reported, two months ago the SBU reported that it had opened "about 60" criminal proceedings against UOC representatives and the seven court verdicts mentioned.

Read also

Head of the 'Belarusian Autocephalous Church' prayed in Pyriatyn with the OCU

Svyatoslav Login, the leader of the BAOC — unrecognized in the Orthodox world — held a 'joint prayer service' with military chaplains in Poltava Oblast.

Chief Rabbi discusses religious freedom in Ukraine with State Dept official

The participants discussed attacks on religious buildings and cases of pressure on believers.

Monastic tonsure performed in Khust Eparchy

At the diocesan metochion in the village of Synevyrska Poliana, Bishop Mark of Rakhiv performed the rite of rassophore tonsure.

OCU consecrates memorial sign to UPA commander in Volyn

In the village of Botyn, representatives of the OCU supported the state-level glorification of UPA figures by consecrating a memorial to one of its commanders.

UOC deacon dies saving drowning child in Finland

The deacon immediately rushed to help when he saw a child in danger, but was unable to reach the shore himself.

TRC abducts priest of UOC Tulchyn Eparchy

The whereabouts of the UOC archpriest detained by the recruitment officers are currently unknown.