UOC priest of Odesa Eparchy released from TRC

Archpriest Oleksandr Moskovchuk. Photo: a video screenshot of the Odesa Eparchy

On June 15, 2025, Archpriest Oleksandr Moskovchuk, rector of the Holy Trinity Church of the UOC in the village of Troyandove, was released from the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) in the Odesa Region, where he had been detained since June 10. The press service published a video message from the priest.

Father Oleksandr thanked all the clergy and parishioners for their prayers, and the lawyers for their professional assistance.

"I am happy to have returned to my native church and can continue to pray for peace in our country. My deepest gratitude to everyone," said Fr. Oleksandr Moskovchuk.

As the UOJ reported, the Odesa Eparchy stated that despite his age and poor health, the canonical prohibition on bearing arms, and the legal grounds preventing his mobilization, the clergyman had been pressured to sign a military service contract. He was being subjected to threats and psychological coercion, and transported between various TRC offices and military units across Odesa Region and Ukraine.

Read also

In Peru, RCC bishops and LGBT members participate in Pachamama worship ritual

Two Catholic bishops, a Vatican official representative, and gay community members performed a pagan ritual in Peru.

UNICEF discusses humanitarian situation with Jerusalem hierarch in Gaza

A UNICEF delegation visited the Monastery of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, which is under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

Three novices tonsured at Vilshanka Convent

Archbishop Jonah (Cherepanov) tonsured three novices at a UOC convent in the Kyiv region.

‘Silent disco’ held at Canterbury Cathedral in England

An event featuring 1980s music at Canterbury Cathedral has drawn sharp criticism from British Christians.

FAVOR foundation provides food to UOC community for meals for those in need

The charitable foundation provided assistance to the meal distribution point at the Elijah Church in Sumy.

Metropolitan Volodymyr blesses cross and domes for UOC church in Kamianske

The Kamianske Eparchy blessed domes and a cross for the Church of St. Agapitus of the Kyiv Caves, currently under construction.