TRC detains two priests from Sarny Eparchy

Protopriests Hryhoriy Bakunets and Oleksandr Soltys. Photo: UOJ

On August 4, 2025, the Kostopil TRC detained two clergymen of the Sarny Eparchy of the UOC. This was reported by a UOJ correspondent.

Protopriest Hryhoriy Bakunets, the rector of the Holy Spirit Church in the village of Mokvynski Khutory, is the father of three minor children. The priest was detained right during the performance of his pastoral duties; he was on his way to administer communion to a seriously ill parishioner. As believers reported, unfortunately, the suffering and gravely ill person was left without her last confession due to the actions of the Kostopil TRC.

On the same day, TRC employees detained Protopriest Oleksandr Soltys, the rector of the Pokrovsky Church in the village of Peskiv, leaving his parish without pastoral care.

As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Luke appealed to TRCs over the mobilization of UOC priests.

Read also

Common Easter date with Orthodox still a long way off – Vatican rep

The Vatican’s ambassador to Ukraine said that dialogue on synchronizing the calendar is ongoing, but no tangible progress has been made.

Persecuted UOC сommunity сelebrates its patronal feast in Mali Dorohostai

In the Rivne Eparchy, the persecuted community of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous marked its patronal feast.

Catholic monastery in Germany to open escape room for visitors

The Norbertines of Roggenburg have devised a way to attract visitors as the abbey prepares to celebrate its 900th anniversary.

Cherkasy court extends preventive measure against Metropolitan Theodosiy

The judge left unchanged the preventive measure imposed on the UOC hierarch in four criminal cases.

UOC parish in Lisbon celebrates 5th anniversary of its founding

The community of the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Lisbon marked its patronal feast and the fifth anniversary of its founding.

Pope says true Christians can have no enemies

Pope Leo XIV reflects on martyrdom as a “birth into heaven” and on Christmas joy a the choice of "justice even at great cost,” making celebration possible even amid suffering.