Metropolitan Arseniy faces three court hearings in a single day

Metropolitan Arseniy in court. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On October 31, 2025, three separate court hearings related to the case of Metropolitan Arseniy, abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, accused of “supporting Russia,” are taking place in Dnipro, reports the Lavra’s official website.

At 9:45 a.m., the Shevchenkivskyi District Court began considering the defense’s appeal against the bishop’s unlawful detention. At 10:00 a.m., the Sobornyi District Court resumed its hearing on the measure of restraint, and at 1:30 p.m., the same Shevchenkivskyi Court is scheduled to hear another complaint filed by the defense.

According to the lawyers, the October 30 session of the Sobornyi Court was interrupted because Metropolitan Arseniy was not brought to the hearing on the first complaint – the convoy failed to deliver him despite a court order.

After the lawyers returned, the hearing resumed.

Around 9:00 p.m., the session was again suspended due to an air raid alert and shelling of Dnipro. Later, Metropolitan Arseniy’s blood pressure rose to 170×110 mmHg, and doctors administered an injection. After receiving medical assistance, the hearing continued until midnight and was then postponed to October 31.

By law, a detainee may be held in a temporary detention facility for no more than 72 hours. Faithful and clergy of the Dnipro Eparchy gathered outside the court to pray for Metropolitan Arseniy and the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on October 28, 2025, Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk was released from pre-trial detention on bail but was immediately re-arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine moments after his release.

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