Ternopil TRC explains why it detains UOC priests

Archpriest Ioann Koval and Archpriest Georgiy Pryimak. Photo: Collage Social Media

The Ternopil Regional TRC commented on the recent forced mobilization of two priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Archpriests Ioann Koval and Georgiy Pryimak. As reported by Hromadske, the TRC stated that the clergy were not exempted from mobilization.

According to the Ternopil TRC, a review of the documents revealed that the priests were not entitled to deferment, were not officially exempted, and thus fall under general mobilization rules.

"The legislation does not provide absolute exceptions regarding categories of persons who cannot be mobilized during martial law. The determining factor is the presence of legal grounds for deferment or exemption," the TRC states.

As reported, DESS published a list of communities whose clerics will be exempted. The list of critically important religious organizations included 7726 legal entities. UOC communities were excluded.

Read also

Orthodox Church celebrates feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Even during his lifetime, St. Nicholas became renowned as a zealous defender of the Orthodox faith and a great wonderworker.

U.S. lobby for Ukraine calls rallies in defense of UOC a risk – source

In a document by a Washington-based coalition, rallies in defense of the UOC were described as a problematic factor for lobbying Kyiv’s interests in the United States.

Relics of Job and Amphilochius brought from Pochaiv to Khmelnytskyi

The shrine was delivered to St. Nicholas Cathedral with the blessing of the abbot of the Pochaiv Lavra.

In Cherkasy, city council transfers land under seized cathedral to OCU

According to media reports, the decision was made under pressure.

In Volodymyr, MP announces eviction of UOC cathedral community from its chapel

After being expelled from the Dormition Cathedral, the UOC community in Volodymyr has been crammed into a tiny chapel.

Court hearing on eviction of monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra postponed

The judge in the case on evicting monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra went on sick leave an hour before the hearing.