UOC priests detained by Khust TRC have been released

Meeting of the priests with their relatives, parishioners, and local residents. Photo: Screenshot from Artem Dmytruk's Telegram channel

Today, on September 22, after the Divine Liturgy, representatives of the Territorial Recruitment Center in Zakarpattia detained two UOC priests. In the evening, after protests by believers, Archpriest Vasyl Huk from the Khust Diocese and Father Stepan from the Odesa Diocese were released. This was reported by MP Artem Dmytruk on his Telegram channel.

"Father Vasyl and Father Stepan are free! Thank you to all the believers, residents of Khust, and the village of Iza who took part in freeing the priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," his message said at 22:30.

According to Dmytruk, the priests had their phones and documents, which had been confiscated during their detention, returned to them.

"Father Stepan, a cleric of the Odesa Eparchy, was given 3 days by the TRC to leave Zakarpattia and was also required to report to the TCC in Odesa in 3 days. Father Vasyl was ordered to check in at the Khust TRC in exactly one month," the MP added.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Khust Eparchy had asked for prayers for Father Vasyl, who was taken by the TRC.

Read also

Dumenko: We celebrate Christmas to gain strength for fighting the enemy

The head of the OCU believes that celebrating Christmas is necessary for confronting Russia.

UOC Chancellor explains to Serbian media why union with OCU is impossible

Metropolitan Anthony said the OCU arose outside the canonical order from schismatic structures – what took place was legalization, not the healing of a schism.

Forbes removes a defamatory article about UOC support action in Washington

The magazine took down a publication that cast believers as “Kremlin agents” after the St. John Society filed a defamation complaint.

Terror attacks by IS supporters prevented in Turkey

In Istanbul, police detained more than a hundred members of an extremist network that had called for attacks during the holiday season.

Monastic tonsure performed at Pochaiv Lavra

Three residents of the monastery embraced monasticism.

“Decolonizing Christmas” tour held by Berlin Forum of Religions

An attempt was made to present Christmas in Germany through the lens of colonialism and oppression.