Court of Appeal to examine the evidence of Metropolitan Jonathan's guilt
Metropolitan Jonathan near the courthouse. Photo: the Tulchyn Eparchy
In the Vinnytsia Court of Appeal, the first hearing in the case of Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskykh) of Tulchyn and Bratslav was held, reports the press service of the Tulchyn Eparchy.
"The court rejected the request of the defence to challenge the judges, but decided to examine all the evidence of the Vinnytsia City Court regarding the commission of criminal offences by Metropolitan Jonathan," the message of the eparchy says.
Metropolitan's lawyer Ihor Chudovsky said that the charges against Metropolitan Jonathan are groundless and politicised.
"The case against Metropolitan Jonathan is a case against the Orthodox faith, against freedom of speech, against justice. It is based on falsified evidence, testimony under pressure and stretched interpretations. Its purpose is to discredit and destrиct one of the active hierarchs of the UOC, who did not submit to political interests and did not betray his faith. Its goal is to scare and intimidate all those who do not agree with the state policy in church matters," Ihor Chudovsky said.
As reported, Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a demand to set up a special commission to study the abuses of the prosecution in the criminal case launched against him.
Read also
Khust hosts multi-thousand procession with relics of Gabriel of Białystok
About ten thousand believers, together with the clergy, prayed for peace in Ukraine.
Shevchuk: The origin of Uniates from the Union is Moscow propaganda
The head of the UGCC revealed where the UGCC’s umbilical cord is buried.
ROCOR head congratulates His Beatitude Onuphry on enthronement anniversary
"We rejoice that the canonical Church in the territory of Ukraine has in Your person a tireless builder of Christ's vineyard," noted Metropolitan Nicholas.
Metropolitan of Montenegro greets UOC Primate on 11th anniversary of enthronement
"We pray for you, support you, and wish you strength from the Lord to worthily endure all trials," wished Metropolitan Joanikije.
Head of Macedonian Church congratulates His Beatitude on enthronement anniversary
"Through the prayers of the holy fathers of the Caves and all the saints, may the the Lord's grace strengthen You," reads the congratulatory message from Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid and Macedonia.
Head of Polish Church congratulates UOC Primate on enthronement anniversary
Metropolitan Sawa wished His Beatitude strength and God's blessing in his Archpastoral labors for the benefit of the Holy Church and the Ukrainian Church.