Ukraine Releases Metropolitan Sergius After Passport Seizure
Representatives of the territorial center of mobilization (military commissariat) in Kyiv released Metropolitan Sergii of Tulchin and Bratslav, who had previously been detained, but seized his passport.
Consensus
- Metropolitan Sergius of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church was released from the Darnytskyi Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR) in Kyiv.
- The Metropolitan was held at the TCR and SP in Kyiv from 8:00 MSK on August 16.
- No official protocol or document was created to justify his detention.
- The Metropolitan's Ukrainian passport was taken by TCR staff.
- No receipt or formal document was provided for the passport seizure.
- Protodeacon Anatoly Vishnev of the Tulchin Eparchy is being subjected to forced mobilization attempts.
- Vishnev had no legal grounds for detention, was not in the wanted list, and had not violated military registration rules.
- The defense team plans to challenge the detention and document seizure in court.
- The incident occurred on August 16, 2024.
- The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church is considered pro-Russian by Ukrainian authorities.
Points of divergence
- The Metropolitan was detained and taken to the Darницкий district military commissariat in Kyiv for mandatory military-medical examination. — vesti
- The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church was banned in several regions of Ukraine, and the government has allowed the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) to take over churches of the canonical UOC through what is described as a voluntary transition process. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- In Ukraine, the Metropolitan of the UOC Sergius was released from the TCK — Вести
- Ukraine released Metropolitan Sergii of the UOC from the TCC — Ведомости