Congresswoman: We worked with Ukrainian govt to secure Met Arseniy’s release

Metropolitan Arseniy. Photo: UOC press service

Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko) was released from pre-trial detention following talks between American lawmakers and the Ukrainian authorities. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna reported this on X on May 31, 2026.

According to Luna, her office had deliberately worked to secure Metropolitan Arseniy’s release from imprisonment, as the hierarch needed urgent heart surgery. "I am happy to report he was released to receive the desperate medical attention he needed and, although on house arrest, is now recovering," the congresswoman said.

“I want to thank the Ukrainian officials we worked with on this issue and will continue to maintain open lines of communication,” Luna wrote.

As the UOJ reported, a lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church thanked U.S. politicians for helping secure Metropolitan Arseniy’s release. Earlier, Greek media also indicated that the bishop’s release had come as a result of pressure from the United States.

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