SBU refers Metropolitan Pavel case to court
Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: ctrana.news
On 20 October 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor-General's Office handed over to the court an indictment against Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, who is suspected of "inciting inter-religious hatred" and "justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine", reports the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the investigation, the Lavra abbot allegedly "represented the Russian aggression as an internal civil conflict", and in telephone conversations with believers "incited national and religious discord".
The Office of the Prosecutor General also noted that the accusations against Metropolitan Pavel are confirmed by the conclusions of the relevant expertise.
In addition, the investigation found that the hierarch made statements that allegedly "justified the actions of the Russian Federation" and "offended the religious feelings of Ukrainians".
The sanctions of the articles provide for up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
As reported, Patriarch Bartholomew approved criminal cases against hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC
Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.
Head of Lavra Reserve: I believe UOC monks will move to the OCU
Ostapenko said there are 140 UOC monks and novices on the territory of the Lower Lavra.
"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran
A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.