SBU declares suspicion in absentia to Metropolitan Panteleimon of Luhansk

Metropolitan Panteleimon (Povorozniuk). Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

On January 12, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) notified Metropolitan Panteleimon of Luhansk and Alchevsk in absentia about suspicion of aiding the aggressor state (Part 1, Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), according to the agency's website.

The SBU notes that according to the investigation, in September 2022, Metropolitan Panteleimon attended a ceremony related to the so-called unification of temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine with the Russian Federation. He also participated in a "round table" under the leadership of the "authorities" of the occupied city.

Metropolitan Panteleimon is also accused of spreading fakes against Ukrainian military personnel and glorifying Russian military personnel in interviews.

Due to the fact that the accused is currently based in the temporarily occupied territory, the SBU notes that comprehensive measures are being taken to hold Metropolitan Panteleimon accountable.

As reported previously, on August 17, 2021, at a meeting of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Panteleimon (Povorozniuk) was appointed the administrator of the Luhansk Diocese of the UOC.

Read also

Appellate Court: UOC has no rights to Yelets Convent in Chernihiv

The UOC is required to return the Yelets Convent to the Ministry of Culture and remove obstacles to accessing the sanctuary.

UOC priest and combat medic about how many believers support the frontline

According to Archimandrite Joasaph, his main task at the frontline is to ensure survival.

Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Carlo Viganò from RCC for schism

The former papal nuncio to the U.S. is subject to the most severe punishment in the Catholic Church: he is forbidden from communicating with the faithful and is denied access to the sacraments.

Statements by AFU soldiers against the ban on the UOC reminded online

The military called on deputies not to take rash steps that could harm the unity and security of the country.

Criminal сases initiated against experts in UOJ case and UOC priest

The activities of experts Eduard Lytvynenko and Svitlana Dolynkivska will be investigated by the National Police and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR).

Ecumenical Patriarch honors Bulgarian politician for supporting Phanar

Boyko Borisov promised Patriarch Bartholomew that he would continue to support all Orthodox churches "to the best of his ability".