In Smila, TRC illegally detains multi-child priest of UOC

Archpriest Kostiantyn Volovyi. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

On the evening of November 17, 2025, TRC employees illegally detained a cleric of the Kamianka Deanery of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Kostiantyn Volovyi, reports the eparchy.

The priest was abducted on the road from Smila to Cherkasy and taken to the Smila TRC. Despite the fact that Fr. Kostiantyn has five minor children and his data is in the demographic register, he was sent to a commission and then to a training center.

The priest's relatives arrived at the Smila TRC and brought documents confirming the exemption, but the military commissars refused to accept them.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Smila, military commissariat officers abducted UOC priest Oleksii Lukash.

Read also

Constantinople bishop: If the Church loses its Greek spirit, what will remain?

Archbishop Makarios of the Constantinople Church criticized the rector of an Australian parish for conducting half of the service in English.

Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne

Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.

Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations

The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.

EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation

The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".

Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report

The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.

Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU

Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.