Military Recruitment Office releases UOC priest detained in Kremenets
Faithful of the Holy Trinity Parish (UOC), village of Druzhba, outside the Kremenets TCC. Photo: Rivne Eparchy
Fr. Vladyslav Batiuk, rector of the Holy Trinity parish in the village of Druzhba of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), who had been unlawfully detained by the Kremenets Military Recruitment Office (TCC), has been released. This was reported on the Telegram channel of the Rivne Eparchy on May 23, 2025.
“His release became possible thanks to numerous calls to the hotline, public attention, and complaints from concerned individuals. The voice of the community was heard. After several hours of illegal detention, Fr. Vladyslav is now free,” the statement reads.
The eparchy thanked everyone for their prayers and support.
Earlier, parishioners of Fr. Vladyslav had gathered outside the Kremenets TCC demanding the release of their pastor.
As reported by the UOJ, the priest was detained on May 22 in Pochaiv while returning from a church service and was taken to the Kremenets TCC without explanation. Fr. Vladyslav is a refugee from an occupied territory and has been living in the Rivne region for a long time.
Read also
OCU thanks Novovolynsk mayor for transporting people to Dumenko's "service"
Supporters of the OCU sent gratitude to Mayor Borys Karpus for providing transportation to the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on seizure in Kuzmyn
The seizure of the UOC church in Kuzmyn was based on forged documents about changing jurisdiction to the OCU.
Restoration of St Florus Convent: Former KCSA official reported suspicion
A former deputy general director of the Kyiv Scientific and Methodological Center for the Protection and Restoration of Monuments is suspected of embezzling 660 thousand hryvnias of budget funds.
Meeting of UOC Synodal Commission on canonization held in Kyiv
A meeting of the Synodal Commission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, dedicated to the consideration of issues related to canonization, was held at the Presentation (Vvedensky) Monastery in Kyiv.
Archaeologists uncover 4th-century Christian church complex near Rome
In the ancient port city of Ostia near Rome, archaeologists have uncovered a large early Christian complex with a church and bishop's palace dating back to the 4th century.
Vance praises Georgian patriarch's work
The U.S. vice president spoke positively about the role of the primate of the Georgian Church in preserving Christian values in the country.