UOC Chancellor shares details of SBU searches at Kyiv Metropolia

Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich). Photo: YouTube video screenshot

On April 15, 2025, following searches conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in the reception office of the Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, and in the chancery of the Kyiv Metropolia, the hierarch recorded a video comment addressing the events.

Metropolitan Anthony confirmed UOJ’s earlier report that SBU officers behaved respectfully during the search.

“The search was conducted in my office as Chancellor of the UOC, in the reception area, and in the chancery of the Kyiv Metropolia. As a result, three computers were seized,” the metropolitan stated.

He thanked all the faithful for their prayers and reminded them that the Church is currently living through Holy Week.

“We are the Church of Christ, and that means we must walk the path of Christ. The path to the Resurrection leads through Golgotha. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, I am most grateful for your prayers and wish all of us to pass through this period of Holy Week with spiritual benefit, so that we may joyfully greet the Bright Resurrection of Christ. May the Lord protect you all!” he said.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the searches took place in a temporary building used as the chancery of the UOC Metropolia, located near the Lybidska metro station. It is also known that the investigation concerns “obstruction of the activities of religious communities, particularly their re-affiliation.”

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