OCU cleric rejects suspension, accuses ruling bishop of usurping power

OCU cleric Yuriy Matveitsov. Photo: Matveitsov's Facebook

OCU cleric Yuriy Matveitsov categorically refused to recognize his ban and accused "Archbishop" Herman Semanchuk of Kamianets-Podilskyi of usurping power.

On October 13, Semanchuk issued a decree suspending the cleric for violating church discipline and the chain of command, as well as for "spreading slander against the OCU hierarchy" in public statements.

In his response, Matveitsov called the "bishop's" decision canonically null and void, claiming it was motivated by personal revenge and eparchial intrigue. According to Matveitsov, he continues to serve as "dean" and "rector" of St. John the Theologian Church, with all services proceeding as usual.

The cleric accused the eparchial leadership of secretly amending the eparchy's statutes without convening general assemblies, deceiving OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko, and attempting to seize parish property. Matveitsov also alleged systematic blackmail involving mobilization: clergy who refuse to comply have their military service exemptions blocked and are threatened with deployment to the front lines so they can be replaced by "young seminary graduates."

According to Matveitsov, "Archbishop" Herman is also obstructing services at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and deliberately stirring up unrest within the eparchy. In response, Matveitsov has appealed to Epifaniy Dumenko and the OCU Synod, demanding the appointment of an independent commission.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that an OCU "priest" refused to provide Semanchuk with his church for an "enthronement."

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