Dmytruk: One of the TCC-detained priests of Khust Eparchy has been released

Archpriest Ioan Petechel, secretary of Khust Eparchy. Photo: Khust Eparchy

On April 23, 2024, MP Artem Dmytruk reported in his Telegram channel that he had received a response from the Ministry of Defense regarding the unlawful detention by TCC employees of priests of the UOC Khust Eparchy, Archpriest Ioan Petechel and Archpriest Ioan Rozman.

"Right now, Father Ioan Rozman is being illegally detained on the territory of a military unit. The second clergyman was released home only yesterday, thanks to my requests and appeals to the Ministry of Defense and law enforcement agencies. Moreover, they illegally held him for 2 months, and the Ministry of Defense sees nothing illegal in this," the MP wrote.

Dmytruk reminded that both priests had all the legal grounds not to be called up for military service. One of them is a father of many children, the other is taking care of his wife paralyzed after a stroke.

"In the response of the Ministry of Defense, it is also indicated that the clergy did not provide documents confirming their right to deferment," he adds. "How could they provide them if after their abduction they were deprived of even the right to contact their relatives? Absurd!"

As the UOJ reported, the police initiated a criminal case on the fact of exceeding official powers by TCC employees during the detention of clergy of the Khust Eparchy.

Read also

Orthodox Church celebrates feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Even during his lifetime, St. Nicholas became renowned as a zealous defender of the Orthodox faith and a great wonderworker.

U.S. lobby for Ukraine calls rallies in defense of UOC a risk – source

In a document by a Washington-based coalition, rallies in defense of the UOC were described as a problematic factor for lobbying Kyiv’s interests in the United States.

Relics of Job and Amphilochius brought from Pochaiv to Khmelnytskyi

The shrine was delivered to St. Nicholas Cathedral with the blessing of the abbot of the Pochaiv Lavra.

In Cherkasy, city council transfers land under seized cathedral to OCU

According to media reports, the decision was made under pressure.

In Volodymyr, MP announces eviction of UOC cathedral community from its chapel

After being expelled from the Dormition Cathedral, the UOC community in Volodymyr has been crammed into a tiny chapel.

Court hearing on eviction of monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra postponed

The judge in the case on evicting monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra went on sick leave an hour before the hearing.