Priest charged with desertion freed after faithful raise bail

Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov. Photo: Telegram channel of Archpriest Nikita Chekman

Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov, a cleric of the Transfiguration Cathedral in the city of Nikopol, Kryvyi Rih Eparchy of the UOC, has been released after bail was paid. His release was announced by UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman on his Telegram channel, where he also published a video message in which the priest thanked everyone who helped raise the necessary funds.

In the video, Fr. Vitaliy expressed gratitude to the faithful who took part in the fundraising effort. He said he had already been released from custody and wished everyone well-being, peace, and God’s help.

“May the merciful Lord preserve you and your loved ones. Thank God for you all!” Fr. Vitaliy said.

Earlier, the court set bail for the priest at 266,240 hryvnias. As the UOJ previously reported, the required amount was raised by believers in less than a day, making it possible to begin the process of securing his release.

Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov was detained after leaving the military unit to which he had been assigned following mobilization. Last autumn, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed to the position of rifleman-sniper. The priest said he was unable to take part in combat for reasons of conscience, since Church canons forbid clergy to take up arms. After his detention, he was placed in custody on charges of desertion.

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