SBU detains UOC priests for degrading Jewish honor and treason
SBU during searches at a UOC cleric’s residence. Photo: SBU
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the detention of two Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) priests from the Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions, according to law enforcement reports on Telegram.
According to case materials, the clerics “praised Putin, called for the seizure of the entire territory of our state, and spread antisemitic statements.”
The SBU claims that the priests "disseminated enemy propaganda during conversations with parishioners, as well as on their social media accounts and messaging apps."
According to the accusations, a priest from the Zhytomyr region “degraded the honor and dignity of Jewish people” and "expressed support for Kremlin policies."
A hieromonk from the Vinnytsia region allegedly “advocated for the seizure of Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.”
The SBU asserts that the "criminal actions of the suspects" were confirmed by an expert examination initiated by investigators.
The clerics face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to a member of parliament, an SBU officer overseeing the persecution of the UOC was arrested in Kyiv.
Read also
Serbian Patriarch offers condolences over murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church called Sviatohirsk Lavra a refuge for the displaced and urged that the monk’s violent death not be turned into anyone’s weapon.
“Never seen before”: Israel reports record number of Hasidim in Uman
According to an Israeli police representative, 52,000 pilgrims are currently in Uman – 10,000 more than last year. The city itself has a population of about 75,000.
UOC faithful hold prayer vigil outside Lavra for more than 1,000 days
For three and a half years, Orthodox Christians have continued praying for peace and for the preservation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Zelensky congratulates Jews on Rosh Hashanah
Volodymyr Zelensky wished Jews peace and the triumph of good over evil.
Kyiv Theological Academy publishes book on Orthodoxy in 17th-century Ukraine
With the blessing of the UOC Primate, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has published a textbook marking the 430th anniversary of the birth of St. Petro Mohyla.