In Kremenets, TRC detains abbot of Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete

Archimandrite Paphnutiy. Photo: the Holy Spirit Skete's website

On June 11, 2025, in Kremenets, Ternopil region, TRC (Territorial Military Recruitment Center – Ed.) employees forcibly detained the abbot of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Monastery-Skete, Archimandrite Paphnutiy, eyewitnesses reported to the UOJ.

The detention occurred immediately after the court session, which is considering the case against the monastery. The archimandrite was taken to the Ternopil Territorial Consription Center.

Father Paphnutiy has been the abbot of the Holy Spirit Skete for over 28 years. He took over the Pochaiv Skete in 1997 in a ruined state after the USSR.

Believers are asking for prayers for the clergyman.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that DESS did not include UOC clergymen in the exemption list of representatives of Ukrainian religious organizations.

Read also

Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church

According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.

Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv

The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.

2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel

Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.

Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons

The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.

UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary

Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon

Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.