In Kovel, TRC officers detain a UOC priest and father of four
Archpriest Vitalii Popko. Photo: kaplichka.com
On October 16, 2025, officers of the Lutsk Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) detained Archpriest Vitalii Popko, a cleric of the UOC Church of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God in Kovel, Volyn region, near his home. The parish website reported the incident.
Father Vitalii has four underage children in his care – two biological and two adopted orphans. He possesses all properly issued documents entitling him to a deferment from mobilization.
According to the parish community, despite this, the priest is currently being held in a distribution center and is being prepared for dispatch to a military training ground.
“We ask for prayers for Archpriest Vitalii Popko,” the message reads.
As the UOJ previously reported, on October 16 a TRC unit in Kyiv detained a UOC protodeacon.
Read also
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.
Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral
The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.
4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra
The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.
OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna
In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.
His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit
At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.