TRC detains rector of UOC church in Mali Puzyrky village

Archpriest Serhiy Syniuk. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On October 9, 2026, at around 8:00 a.m., TRC officers detained the rector of St. Michael's Church of the UOC, Archpriest Serhiy Syniuk in the village of Mali Puzyrky, Khmelnytskyi district, reports the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.

The clergyman was taken to the 4th department of the Shepetivka District TRC in the town of Bilohiria. At the recruitment office, Archpriest Serhiy was forcibly made to undergo a military medical examination, after which he was taken away to an unknown destination. The eparchy noted that the parish priest suffers from a heart condition and many other associated illnesses.

The eparchy emphasized that, according to church canons, military service and the shedding of blood are incompatible with the priestly rank. In particular, the 83rd Apostolic Canon and the 7th Canon of the IV Ecumenical Council forbid clergy to bear arms and perform military service, providing for defrocking as the penalty.

The eparchial leadership called on state authorities to investigate the circumstances of the incident, to comply with the legislation and the Constitution of Ukraine, and to facilitate the release of the clergyman. Believers and clergy were urged to pray for Archpriest Serhiy and for his speedy return to pastoral service at his parish.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that The Kremenchuk TRC gassed a UOC cleric and injured his ribs during mobilization.

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