Rector of UOC church in Nova Pliasheva detained at Dubno TRC

Archpriest Sviatoslav Varnava. Photo: UOJ

Parishioners of St. Michael's Church in the village of Nova Pliasheva, Radyviliv Deanery of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC, have informed the UOJ of the detention of their rector, Archpriest Sviatoslav Varnava. According to them, the priest has already spent four days in the premises of the TRC in the city of Dubno, refusing food and water.

As the faithful recount, the priest explains his condition not as an act of protest, but as an extreme measure left to him after what has happened. According to the parishioners, Father Sviatoslav says that he has "only two roads – either back to his flock, or to the Lord," and that he simply cannot bring himself to look at food.

Father Sviatoslav Varnava is the rector of St. Michael's Church in the village of Nova Pliasheva. Parishioners note that he has been serving at the same parish for 31 years.

According to the faithful, the detention occurred on Saturday: the priest was traveling to a funeral in his home village where he serves. He was stopped by a police officer whom the parishioners identify as Serhiy Prykhodko, who, as reported, immediately summoned TRC representatives.

Eyewitnesses who reported this information add that the priest was treated roughly during the detention — in their words, "they were about to twist his arms, as if he were a criminal who had been caught."

The parishioners are appealing to the faithful, asking them above all to intensify their prayers for the priest and his swift return to his flock.

As the UOJ previously reported, the TRC detained the rector of a UOC community in the village of Khvorostiv.

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