TRC abducts Vinnytsia Eparchy priest

Archpriest Vitaliy Karpus. Photo: Facebook page of the Vinnytsia Eparchy

In Vinnytsia, TRC officers detained Archpriest Vitaliy Karpus, a lawyer for the eparchial administration, immediately after a medical examination and took him to a training camp at midnight. This was reported by the Vinnytsia Eparchy on Facebook.

On June 25, 2026, the clergyman came to the enlistment office in response to a summons in order to update his personal data. He had already visited the TRC the day before, complying with all legal requirements. However, after undergoing the military medical commission, Father Vitaliy was not allowed to go home.

At around midnight, the cleric was forcibly sent to a training center in the Haisyn district for further processing for military service. There is currently no contact with the priest, as his mobile phone was taken from him. The eparchy said the commission ignored the archpriest’s complaints about serious health problems.

The Vinnytsia Eparchy recalled that Church canons, including Apostolic Canon 83 and Canon 7 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, directly prohibit priests from performing military service. Service at the altar and military activity are incompatible. The faithful were urged to pray for Father Vitaliy’s strengthening, while officials were called on to release the cleric and respect his legal rights.

As the UOJ reported, TRC officers in Vinnytsia detained Metropolitan Varsonofiy's secretary.

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