TRC seizes cleric of Vvedensky Monastery in Chernivtsi

Archdeacon Valentyn Makovsky abducted by the TRC. Photo: FB group "Faithful of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC"
On October 25, 2025, officers of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRC) detained Archdeacon Valentyn Makovsky, a cleric of the Vvedensky Monastery in Chernivtsi, the Facebook group "Faithful of the Chernivtsi–Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC" reported.
The clergyman is currently being held at the Chernivtsi TRC. Believers are asking for prayers for him, as well as for Fr. Fedir Hnytetsky, another priest who has been held by military officials for a long time.
Recall that the UOC is the only confession in Ukraine whose clergy have not been granted exemption from mobilization. At the same time, according to priestly vows, a man in holy orders is not permitted to take up arms.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the UOC’s chancellor, the mobilization of its clergy constitutes a deliberate desecration of the priesthood.
Read also
MP urges to ease pressure on UOC for sake of peace
Oleksii Honcharenko proposed compromises on language, historical memory, and Church issues as part of efforts to achieve peace, saying those who wish to attend the “Russian Church” should be allowed to do so.
Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community
A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.
Vinnytsia Eparchy honors Bar Icon of the Mother of God
Metropolitan Varsonofiy celebrated the Liturgy at the Bar Convent on the feast day of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God.
Rada speaker discusses legalization of same-sex marriage in Rivne region
Ruslan Stefanchuk suggested that sponsors of separate bills to legalize same-sex marriage personally make their case to Ukrainians.
Jerusalem Patriarch rejects proposal to celebrate Christmas on December 25
The Jerusalem Patriarch rejected a proposal for a common Christmas celebration and reaffirmed the Church’s adherence to the Julian calendar.
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.