SBU demands all data about churches and property of UOC eparchies

SBU. Photo: VPK name

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in accordance with the instruction from the Office of the Prosecutor General, has demanded that the hierarchs of the UOC provide data on all churches and property under the management of the eparchial administrations.

Bishops are receiving letters from the Security Service of Ukraine containing a demand (according to UOJ, within the framework of a court case against Patriarch Kirill) to provide information on religious buildings, shrines and property on the eparchy's books.

Additionally, they need to provide information about the religious organisations under the management of the eparchy.

The letter also includes a requirement to provide information on the positions, full names and passport details of all persons "responsible in the eparchy for the preservation, verification of availability, and control over the handling of sacred objects, valuables and property."

The bishops must report the full names and passport details of the eparchial accountants, as well as the owners and users of the property under the management of the eparchy.

As reported, on 4 November 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine reported that Patriarch Kirill, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, was under suspicion.

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