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
Serbian Patriarch offers condolences over murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church called Sviatohirsk Lavra a refuge for the displaced and urged that the monk’s violent death not be turned into anyone’s weapon.
“Never seen before”: Israel reports record number of Hasidim in Uman
According to an Israeli police representative, 52,000 pilgrims are currently in Uman – 10,000 more than last year. The city itself has a population of about 75,000.
UOC faithful hold prayer vigil outside Lavra for more than 1,000 days
For three and a half years, Orthodox Christians have continued praying for peace and for the preservation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Zelensky congratulates Jews on Rosh Hashanah
Volodymyr Zelensky wished Jews peace and the triumph of good over evil.
Kyiv Theological Academy publishes book on Orthodoxy in 17th-century Ukraine
With the blessing of the UOC Primate, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has published a textbook marking the 430th anniversary of the birth of St. Petro Mohyla.
45,000 Hasidic pilgrims arrive in Uman
Around 45,000 Hasidic pilgrims have already arrived in Ukraine for Rosh Hashanah.