Khmelnytskyi TRC releases illegally detained UOC protodeacon

Protodeacon Andriy (Arthur Mankevych). Photo: screenshot from Khmelnytskyi Eparchy video

On June 13, 2025, after two days of unlawful detention at the Khmelnytskyi Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) in the Ozerna district, Protodeacon Andriy (Arthur Mankevych) of St. Nicholas Cathedral was released. The press service of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reported the news.

The clergyman had been detained on June 11 around 7:00 p.m. by TRC personnel while returning home from evening worship.

“His release became possible thanks to numerous calls to the hotline and the public outcry from concerned citizens. The voice of the Orthodox community of Khmelnytskyi was heard. After two days of unlawful detention, Fr. Andriy returns home – to his family and children, and to his ministry at St. Nicholas Cathedral,” the statement read.

Fr. Andriy thanked everyone for their support: “Thank you to everyone who prayed, wrote, called, and stood by me – with word, deed, and heart.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that TRC officers in Kremenets detained the abbot of the Pochaiv Holy Spirit Skete and later transferred him to a military unit in Rivne Region.

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