UOC hierarch urges SBU to stop violence against clergy in Volyn
Metropolitan Volodymyr (Melnyk). Photo: Facebook page of the Volodymyr–Volynskyi Eparchy
On January 15, 2026, Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr–Volynskyi and Kovel addressed the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police in Volyn Region regarding violence and pressure against clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region. The appeal was published on the eparchial Facebook page.
In his address, the hierarch stated that the situation in the eparchy has moved beyond the bounds of the rule of law. According to him, cases are being recorded in which clergy are detained, after which some of them stop responding, and their further fate remains unknown.
The metropolitan emphasized that such actions strike not only at the Church but also at the state, since they create grounds for accusations that Ukraine is violating religious freedoms.
“The Church has always been and remains with its people, but it cannot remain silent when its faithful are beaten and abducted in broad daylight,” the hierarch said.
He called on law enforcement agencies to act within the framework of the law and the oath given to the Ukrainian people, and also demanded urgent intervention and the restoration of justice.
As the UOJ reported, on January 14, 2026, in Volodymyr, security officers beat and abducted an altar server of the UOC cathedral.
Read also
UOC Primate celebrates Divine Liturgy at Holosiiv Monastery
Metropolitan Onuphry blessed students at the start of the new academic year.
Poland's Constitutional Court Declares Registration of Same-Sex Marriages Illegal
The judges unanimously overturned the Ministry of Digitalization's order recognizing same-sex unions.
Jerusalem bishop on Sviatohirsk: A society that kills monks is defenseless
A hierarch of the Jerusalem Church commented to the UOJ on the killing of Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra and called for the investigation to be pursued to its conclusion.
Chief rabbi: Jews feel safer in Ukraine than even in U.S.
According to Ukraine’s chief rabbi, Jews in the West are often forced to conceal their background and religious identity.
OCU uses recorded choir track during “service” at Lavra
During a “liturgy” at the Church of the Conception of St. Anna, OCU representatives played a recorded choir track.
A meeting of Orthodox youth took place in the Rivne Diocese
The clergy of the Mlyniv Deanery brought together about fifty young people in the outdoors.