Court denies livestreaming of hearings in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy
Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko) at the court hearing on February 18. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra
On February 18, the Sloviansk City District Court of Donetsk Region completed its review of a motion filed by the defense attorneys of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk to allow livestreaming of court hearings on YouTube and the “Judicial Authority of Ukraine” portal. According to the press service of the monastery, the judge denied the motion.
According to the defense team, livestreaming is crucial because the case of the abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra has gained significant public attention. Many people worldwide are concerned about the fate of Metropolitan Arseniy.
The Sviatohirsk Monastery reminded that in the fall of 2024, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem assured his prayerful support for the hierarchs of the UOC, particularly Metropolitan Arseniy. The Lavra has received letters of support from hierarchs of various Orthodox Churches, as well as from believers in Australia, Germany, Greece, Serbia, the United States, and other countries. Some of these letters have been submitted as evidence by the defense.
"After hearing both the defense and the prosecution, the court denied the motion, meaning that online broadcasts will not take place. As a result, concerned individuals from Ukraine, the U.S., EU countries, and beyond will continue to be unable to follow the court proceedings deciding the fate of Metropolitan Arseniy. The ruling is not subject to appeal," the statement said.
On February 25 at 1:45 PM, the Dnipro Court of Appeals in Kryvyi Rih is scheduled to hold an online hearing to review the defense's appeals against the Sloviansk court's decision to extend Metropolitan Arseniy’s detention until March 30.
The next hearing in the Sloviansk court regarding Metropolitan Arseniy’s case is scheduled for February 27.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the Sloviansk City District Court of Donetsk Region extended the detention of the abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra until March 30.
Read also
OCU eparchy sells church center site to developer for housing
The OCU’s Volyn Eparchy sold land intended for a spiritual center to a private developer planning to build townhouses and residential buildings.
SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region
The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.