The Synod of the UOC (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) counted its destroyed churches and killed priests, while continuing to protect hierarchs who are suspected of assisting the invasion force.
Thus, the UOC (MP) believes that the criminal proceedings launched against its clerics and believers are allegedly based on “dubious evidence”.
That’s according to Metropolitan Antoniy (Pakanych), leader of the church’s pro-Russian wing.
“The Holy Synod noted that in 2023, for the first time in the recent history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the facts of criminal prosecution of UOC hierarchs, clergy, and believers became particularly acute…” Pakanych said.
He mentioned Metropolitan Ionafan (Yeletskyi), Pavlo (Lebid), Feodosiy (Snihiriov), and Lonhin (Zhar), who have been charged with various crimes, including inciting inter-religious enmity and supporting aggression.
Pakanych claims “the evidence used to substantiate the accusations is of a dubious nature.” At the same time, he chose not to elaborate on grounds for such an assessment.
It should be recalled that Ionafan has accused of inciting religious enmity and supporting Russia in the ongoing war.
Metropolitan Pavlo was charged under two articles of the Criminal Code – inciting inter-religious enmity and justifying Russia’s armed aggression.
Metropolitan Feodosiy saw charges over his denial of Russia’s armed aggression, justifying the invaders’ actions, and violating the equality of citizens on religious grounds. In 2020, he ordered the that his diocese launch a website based on the ROC template.
Metropolitan Lonhin is under the investigation after speaking disparagingly at liturgies of the OCU, branding it “the antichrist’s” and “satanic” church. It was established that such words can incite enmity and devalue believers’ feelings.
Earlier, the Russian Orthodox Church was called upon to pray for the UOC (MP) clerics who were detained for aiding and abetting the aggressor.
