UOC priest who spent 5 months in detention delivers medications to prisoners

Fr. Serhiy Chertylyn. Photo: a video screenshot from the priest's Facebook Fr. Serhiy Chertylyn. Photo: a video screenshot from the priest's Facebook

On May 6, 2025, OCU priest Fr. Serhiy Chertylyn delivered medications to the Lukyanivska Kyiv Detention Center. As Fr. Sergey shared on his Facebook page, the "Detention Center: Pharmacy of Salvation" initiative was organized by the Mykolaiv International Charitable Foundation, with the support of UOC believers, clergy, and concerned individuals.

"This time, a large quantity of essential medications was directly delivered to the prisoners: painkillers, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, stomach medications, and much more," Father Serhiy explained. He himself had spent five months in a detention center and was released on bail in August 2024.

 

The priest emphasized that he understands the importance of such actions well: "After all, every package of medicine delivered saves someone's life and gives a chance for recovery to those who often remain without support."

"We sincerely thank everyone who joins us: believers, UOC clergy, and anyone who helps make these good deeds a reality," he wrote.

Read also

OCU explains why beggars are driven away from St. Michael’s Cathedral

A cleric of Dumenko’s structure admitted that beggars are not tolerated at the OCU’s main monastery because of their “high incomes” and the desire not to damage the site’s image before foreign tourists.

UOC Chancellor: Venerable Anthony founded a monastery, not a reserve

Metropolitan Anthony said that the attempt to turn the Lavra into a state preserve is, in essence, an attempt to lock living Orthodoxy behind a door.

Dumenko discusses countering hostile influence in spiritual life with PO head

The heads of the OCU and the Presidential Office touched on state-church relations and “spiritual security” in wartime.

Albanian Primate speaks about ways to resolve OCU problem

Archbishop John is convinced: disagreements between Moscow and Constantinople can only be overcome through love and dialogue, but not through choosing "sides".

National Memory Institute and SBU open exhibition on UGCC liquidation

An exhibition on the repression of the Uniates has opened in the capital, while state officials search for historical parallels with the present day.

OCU "priest" “allows” parishioners to use priest’s cassock for sex games

Ruslan Usmedinsky said that using a priest’s cassock as a prop for role-playing games can strengthen relationships between couples.