First words and photos after Bishop Arseniy's release published online

Metropolitan Arseny and believers in the courthouse building on February 25, 2026. Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On February 25, 2026, following the decision of the Chechelivskyi District Court in Dnipro to change the preventive measure for Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk from detention — after one year and ten months in custody — to round-the-clock house arrest, the bishop thanked the Mother of God. Footage of the first minutes of their abbot’s freedom was published by the press service of the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

During the hearing, the lawyers asked the court to change the preventive measure to release on personal surety, bail, or house arrest, citing the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, which considers round-the-clock house arrest as an alternative to detention in a pre-trial detention center.

After hearing the parties, Judge Tetiana Bezruk retired to the deliberation room retired to the deliberation room and, upon returning, announced the decision to change the preventive measure. The metropolitan was released directly in the courtroom. The decision is not subject to appeal. The next hearing is scheduled for March 5 at 11:30.

The Sviatohirsk Lavra published the first footage following the archpastor’s release. In the video, Bishop Arseniy offered praise to the Most Holy Theotokos: “Rejoice, O Good Gatekeeper, who opens the gates of Paradise to the faithful!”

The monastery’s press service also published the first footage after the hierarch’s release, showing him together with the faithful who had come to the courthouse to support him.

As the UOJ reported, the court released Metropolitan Arseniy under house arrest.

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