NSDC imposes sanctions against a number of ROC hierarchs, priests and reps

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and Metropolitan Hilarion of Hungary and Budapest are on Ukraine's new sanctions list against the ROC. Photo: the press service of the ROC DECR

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose sanctions against 21 representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church. The text of the document was published on the website of the head of State.

The list includes Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Anthony (Sevryuk) of Volokolamsk; Metropolitan Leonid (Gorbachev) of Klin; Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Budapest and Hungary; and Vakhtang Kipshidze, deputy head of the Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media.

Sanctions were also imposed on the nephew of Patriarch Kirill, Archpriest Michael Gundyaev, Archpriest Andrey Tkachev, Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov, Professor of Moscow Orthodox Theological Academy and Seminary Alexei Osipov, and five other hierarchs of the ROC.

In particular, the sanctions involve the blocking of assets, a ban on transactions in securities, a ban on the transportation and transit of resources through Ukraine and other restrictions. These measures are imposed on six people for 30 years, and on the rest – for five years.

Earlier, Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against the UOC administration and six more representatives of the UOC.

Read also

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."  

OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners

It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.

Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy

A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.