DESS expert: Phanar Exarch asked bail for Chernyshov under pressure from SBU
Bishop of Comana asks the court to grant bail for Chernyshov. Photo: court broadcast screenshot
Yuriy Chornomorets, a DESS expert and OCU theologian, made a high-profile statement about Michael (Anishchenko), an exarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate, who attempted in court to stand surety for former Vice Prime Minister Chernyshov, accused of massive multi-million corruption.
According to Chornomorets, the bishop’s unexpected conduct was initiated by SBU officers.
“This is an exarch – a human being. They put pressure on him, they ‘asked’ him ‘very strongly’… They simply pressured the man, Exarch Michael. Under coercion he went to court and said, essentially, that he could stand surety,” Chornomorets said.
According to the DESS expert, the OCU leadership knows perfectly well how the pressure on Bishop Mykhailo was applied: “I think they know perfectly well that it was the SBU that found what to press on – they ‘asked’ him, he came to court, he spoke.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that on November 18, 2025, the Phanar’s exarch said he was prepared to stand surety for the former vice prime minister accused of corruption.
Read also
Zaporizhzhia Eparchy responds to DESS's statement on alleged ties with ROC
Metropolitan Luke called on the clergy and faithful to pray daily for the Church and those who oppose it.
Metropolitan of Constantinople Church consecrates naval base in Crete
Metropolitan Titus of Kydonia and Apokoronas performed the rite of consecration at the naval base of Crete.
NATO peacekeepers and U.S. senator discuss security of Serbian shrines in Kosovo
The commander of the KFOR mission and a U.S. senator discussed the security of Orthodox shrines and the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija during their meeting.
Metropolitan Luke expresses condolences to victims of attack on Zaporizhzhia
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia published words of support for the families of the deceased, called for prayers for the injured, and blessed the clergy to perform memorial litanies.
Patriarch Bartholomew announces his visit to Bulgaria in October
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople will visit Bulgaria on October 19 for the celebrations in honor of St. John of Rila.
Procession held on Corfu in memory of St. Spyridon’s miracle
The faithful commemorated the miraculous deliverance of Corfu from an Ottoman siege in 1716.