Rivne Eparchy provides update on mobilized 59-year-old cleric

Archpriest Pavlo Stepaniuk. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

The Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has reported that Archpriest Pavlo Stepaniuk, rector of the Presentation Church in the village of Zalavie, Dubno district, who was previously mobilized by TCC officers, has passed a military medical examination and has grounds for discharge provided by law. The statement was published on the eparchy’s official Facebook page.

The eparchy said that until all necessary procedures are completed, the priest will perform military service in the settlement of Mlyniv – the place of his pastoral ministry.

“We hope this will allow Father Pavlo to continue celebrating services and providing spiritual care to his parish,” the statement said.

The Rivne Eparchy stressed that all further steps would be taken in accordance with current Ukrainian law and that, once all required procedures had been completed, Archpriest Pavlo Stepaniuk would be legally discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The eparchy also thanked the command of Operational Command West “for its understanding, support, and the decision allowing Father Pavlo to perform military service at the place of his pastoral ministry.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Rivne Eparchy said that Archpriest Pavlo Stepaniuk had been mobilized despite having documents confirming the need to provide constant care for his sick mother.

Read also