Metropolitan Jonathan's lawyer discusses bishop's exchange to Russia

Metropolitan Jonathan. Photo: Belarusian Orthodox Church

Ihor Chudovsky, the lawyer of Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh) of Tulchyn and Bratslav, said that the bishop was exchanged to Russia for several prisoners of war after his sentence, reports Glavcom.

"Serving the sentence for the heart-sick metropolitan was equivalent to the death penalty. The defense did everything possible to ease the fate of the elderly sick man and the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers who were in captivity," explained the archbishop's lawyer.

Let us recall that on June 18, the head of the Tulchyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskikh), who had been sentenced to five years with confiscation of property, refused to be included in the exchange fund as a prisoner of war for transfer to Russia. However, on June 22, the bishop was released at the request of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. The authorities did not provide official comments regarding this exchange.

As the UOJ reported, in March 2024, Metropolitan Jonathan suffered a stroke.

Read also

WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples

WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.

In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure

Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.

UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination

The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.

UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine

The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.

Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery

For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.

Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5

The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.