Volyn priests of UOC receive draft notices from Kyiv, bypassing local TRC
Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Illustrative photo. Photo: zn.ua
On July 9, 2025, Deacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Andriy Hlushchenko published a message on a Telegram channel from one of the UOC priests, who reported that he received a draft notice not from the local Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) but directly from Kyiv.
The posted message includes the words of one of the UOC clergy serving in Volyn, who is being attempted to be mobilized. The priest said that he received a draft notice by mail and arrived at the TRC. There he was told that "the summons did not come from the district but from Kyiv," and was advised to urgently arrange a deferment, "because they will mobilize".
"I remembered seeing publications that the Chaplaincy Service at the Ministry of Defense sends draft notices to UOC priests. It turns out it's true…," the cleric noted.
According to Andriy Hlushchenko, this message appeared in one of the closed channels, the name of which is not disclosed for security reasons. However, the content of the publication, according to him, confirms previously received information that attempts at forced mobilization of clergy are coordinated centrally – from Kyiv.
The UOC has repeatedly stated that the mobilization of clergy, especially targeted towards the UOC, bears signs of religious discrimination.
Earlier, the UOJ reported on the words of former MP Novynskyi that the authorities specifically mobilize priests to destroy the UOC.
Read also
TRC abducts rector of community in Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn has already been taken to a military training ground.
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.