Trials of Metropolitan Arseniy postponed due to power outages
Metropolitan Arseniy in handcuffs. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra
From December 22 to 30, 2025, four court hearings were scheduled in the case of the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk. The bishop participated in all hearings via videoconference, supported by believers from the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC, reports the Sviatohirsk Lavra website.
The Lavra's press service stated that the full participation of the defense in the process was paralyzed by technical problems. Lawyers located in different regions of Ukraine could not maintain a stable connection due to power outages and air raid sirens. It turned out that during power outages, court technical services were unable to provide internet connectivity. The personal presence of all lawyers at each process was also impossible, as the hearings were held in Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih, and some defenders live outside the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The first preparatory hearing at the Chechelivskyi District Court of Dnipro on December 22 was actually disrupted and postponed to the 26th. But even then, only one lawyer was able to join the process, while the others again faced power outages and air raid alerts. The bishop insisted on the presence of his entire defense team, and the court was rescheduled for December 30. The situation repeated for the third time. Now the hearing is scheduled for January 5, 2026, at 14:00.
A similar situation occurred with the appellate court. On December 24, the Dnipro Appellate Court was supposed to convene in Kryvyi Rih to consider complaints about extending Metropolitan Arseniy's arrest for another 60 days. The hearing was postponed to January 5 at 10:00, formally due to the submission of additional materials by the lawyer, which the prosecution and court need to review.
In mid-December, the court allowed Metropolitan Arseniy to participate in the processes via video link, considering his poor health and the frequency of hearings.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Dnipro court ordered a medical examination of the detained Metropolitan Arseniy.
Read also
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.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.