Chernivtsi Eparchy about searches: We were undressed and put facing the wall

Archimandrite Nikita (Storozhuk), secretary of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna diocese, commented on the searches that took place in the building of the diocesan administration on November 25, 2022. According to Father Nikita, the diocese expected a reaction from the security forces in connection with his appointment to the Ivano-Frankivsk see.

“At 7 am, representatives of the SBU broke down the doors, shouting and threatening to take every employee of the diocese out of their rooms. As I understand it, they congratulated me on my election to the Ivano-Frankivsk see. There were not only employees of the Chernivtsi SBU, but also representatives of the Kyiv administration,” recalls Fr. Nikita.

“We were made to undress and put our hands on the wall, after which they started taking pictures. Then all the dirty notes appeared in the media – may God be the judge of these people; if they have any evidence, let them provide it,” said the archimandrite.

The secretary of the diocese said that many believers had gathered at the gates of the Nicholas Church during the searches and thanked them for their prayer and support.

“Thank God, no shots were fired, although there were such threats. But we are not afraid of death. I just note with surprise that the SBU uses not democratic, even despotic methods in its work. They could have simply rung the bell, and both Vladyka Melety and I would have opened it for them, so they wouldn’t have had to break down the doors,” says Father Nikita.

Recall, on November 25, the SBU conducted searches in the Chernivtsi eparchy. By the decision of the Synod of the UOC, the secretary of the eparchy, Archimandrite Nikita (Storozhuk), was appointed the ruling bishop of the Ivano-Frankivsk see.