Another court hearing held in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy

Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: v-variant.com.ua

On June 19, 2025, the Sloviansk City-District Court of Donetsk Region held another hearing in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy, abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

The metropolitan’s legal team submitted a motion requesting that the indictment be returned to the prosecutor due to its non-compliance with the requirements of Ukraine’s Criminal Procedure Code.

The defense also raised the issue of securing Metropolitan Arseniy’s right to regular spiritual care, citing Articles 9 and 12 of the Law of Ukraine “On Pre-Trial Detention”, Articles 24 and 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine, and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lawyers reminded the court that their client has been in custody for an extended period and, as a clergyman, has the right to regular spiritual guidance and pastoral care.

On the same day, in the Dormition Cathedral of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, the monastic brotherhood offered a collective prayer service (moleben) before the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God “Sviatohirska.”

Since the day of Metropolitan Arseniy’s arrest, the Lavra has maintained a continuous round-the-clock reading of the Akathist to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, interrupted only during liturgical services.

The next court hearing in the Lavra abbot’s case is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, and, like all previous hearings since October of last year, will be held in the format of a video conference.

As a reminder, Metropolitan Arseniy has been held in the Dnipro pre-trial detention center since April 25, 2024.

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