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.

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