In OCU, deacon's documents “sold” to security guard to evade mobilization

“Deacon” of the OCU Taras Pavlyshak-Leitnar. Photo: the website of the Uzhhorod-Khust Eparchy of the OCU

On June 9, 2026, the Kalush court of Ivano-Frankivsk region sentenced “deacon” of the OCU, Taras Pavlyshak-Leitnar, to probation. The former security guard from Stare Selo admitted that, through an intermediary, he bought church documents to avoid mobilization into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reports Zaxid.net.

According to the case materials, Pavlyshak-Leitnar paid a bribe of 1,000 US dollars to obtain a deacon’s ID and an ordination certificate. These papers allegedly confirmed his belonging to the clergy of the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese of the OCU.

Notably, the “clergyman” is still listed as a deacon on the official website of the Holy Cross Exaltation Monastery near Uzhhorod, and the date of his “ordination” was given as April 29, 2024.

After obtaining the fake rank, the “cleric” decided to make money from the scheme. In May 2024, he agreed with another man liable for military service to arrange a similar package of documents for 2,000 dollars, planning to keep half the amount for himself as compensation.

The court found the man guilty and sentenced him to five years of imprisonment, but replaced the real punishment with two years of probation after the defendant repented and transferred 150,000 hryvnias to the army needs.

As the UOJ reported, an OCU “bishop” entered draft evaders among the diocese’s “clergy” for money.

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