Cleric of Khust Eparchy being tried for using Soviet symbols on May 9
Court hearings in the case of Archpriest Voodymyr Hnepa. Photo: tyachiv-life
A measure of restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest was chosen for the priest of the Khust diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Fr. Volodymyr Hnepa. As reported by the local publication "Tyachiv LIFE", the clergyman was charged under part 1 of article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (public use of the symbols of the communist totalitarian regime).
Fr. Volodymyr, as reported, was also prohibited from conducting services.
The incident that led to the court proceedings occurred on May 9 in the village of Mizhhiria, Zakarpattia region. According to law enforcement, the priest was seen in the village center together with a chanter dressed in an outfit resembling Soviet military uniform, featuring elements of symbolism associated with the communist regime.
According to the investigation, the actions were qualified as public use of the symbols of the communist totalitarian regime. During searches, the police allegedly found cold weapons with the priest.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that In Zakarpattia, a court fined a UOC archimandrite 60,000 UAH for "the dissemination of communist symbols."
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.