Cleric of Izium Eparchy banned for violating priestly oath

Archpriest Vitaly Berkin banned from ministry. Photo: Izium Eparchy

Archbishop Ioann of Izium and Kupiansk, by his decree dated August 27, 2025, prohibited the former rector of the UOC Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in the village of Ternova, Chuhuiv Deanery in Kharkiv region, Archpriest Vitaly Berkin, from serving. This was reported by the press service of the Izium Eparchy.

"The cleric is prohibited from performing services based on the 10th, 11th, and 39th Rules of the Holy Apostles, the 2nd Canon of the Antiochian Council, for deviation into schism, gross violation of the priestly oath, the Resolutions of the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church dated November 13, 2018, and the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church," states the document.

The priest was also prohibited from partaking of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, wearing the pectoral cross, and priestly vestments.

Earlier, Metropolitan Vissarion of Ovruch and Korosten, by his decree dated April 9, 2025, banned a cleric of the Ovruch Eparchy from priesthood.

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