Khust Eparchy denies rumors about former cleric Feodor Holodniak

Priest Feodor Holodniak. Photo: Zakarpattia Online

The Khust Eparchy issued a refutation of information published on the Telegram channel of blogger V. Hlahol and other news resources concerning the eparchy's former cleric, Archpriest Feodor Holodniak. The reports claimed that UOC priest Feodor Holodniak, detained in August for attempting to illegally smuggle six men across the border, fled to the Czech Republic after being put on the wanted list. It was also claimed that the Khust Eparchy, headed by Metropolitan Mark (Petrovtsiy), had imposed no sanctions on him.

The Khust Eparchy denies these claims and reports that, by decree of Metropolitan Mark of Khust and Vynohradiv dated August 7, 2024, Archpriest Feodor Holodniak was temporarily suspended from his duties as rector of the Holy Presentation Church in the village of Torun and the Church of the Nativity of John the Forerunner in the village of Tytkovtsi in connection with investigative actions in a criminal case. Since that time, pastoral ministry in the parishes has been carried out by priests of the Mizhhirya deanery.

On October 24, 2024, by decree of Metropolitan Mark, Archpriest Feodor Holodnyak was finally relieved of his duties and expelled from the staff of priests of the Khust Eparchy.

The eparchy calls on the media to use only reliable information and to turn to official sources for comments. Should false data continue to be spread, the Khust Eparchy reserves the right to go to court to protect its business reputation and honor.

As the UOJ reported, in the Khust Eparchy a UOC cleric was mobilized.

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