UOC priest detained by Military Recruitment Office in Rivne
Abducted priest Oleksandr Zhuk. Photo: Rivne Eparchy Press Service
On the evening of June 11, 2025, representatives of the Sarny Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) detained a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Oleksandr Zhuk, in Rivne. He is the rector of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva in the village of Viliia. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC.
According to the eparchy, the clergyman was immediately taken to a military medical commission, where he underwent a medical examination overnight. At present, Father Oleksandr has been sent to a military unit.
The eparchy notes that this is not an isolated incident. According to their information, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) is pursuing a discriminatory policy against UOC clergy, issuing orders specifically targeting priests of this confession for mobilization. Representatives of other Christian and non-Christian denominations, they say, are granted deferments.
“These events are deeply concerning, as they may indicate religious discrimination and denominational bias, which directly contradict the Constitution of Ukraine and the principles of freedom of religion,” the eparchy’s statement reads.
The press service calls for prayers for Father Oleksandr and for all priests who are under pressure.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Kremenets, the TRC detained the rector of the Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv.
Read also
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.
Most Holy Theotokos Belt to arrive in UOC's Mukachevo Eparchy
From May 17 to June 1, 2026, the faithful of Zakarpattia will have the opportunity to venerate one of Christianity’s great holy relics.
Scholars unveil restored 13th-century icon from Rivne region
Researchers have completed the restoration of the Hodegetria icon and are preparing it for an exhibition in Lviv.
Patriarch Daniel calls euthanasia unacceptable
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church stressed that medical workers are called to be “co-workers with God,” not accomplices in taking life.