"Spoke wrong sermons": the SSU reported on suspicion of the priest of the UOC in Zhytomyr region

The Security Service of Ukraine in Zhytomyr region has served a notice of suspicion to a priest of the Korosten-Ovruch Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to the investigation, the priest preached sermons in which he allegedly justified Russia’s attack on Ukraine and urged people not to respond to the slogan “Glory to Ukraine.” The priest faces 8 years in prison. This is reported on the website of the department.

According to the investigation, the priest, after serving a Sunday service, in his sermon allegedly “spoke disparagingly about Ukrainian national heroes and instructed parishioners to remain silent in response to the words ‘Glory to Ukraine’, as he does, for ideological reasons.” In addition, in July of this year, “while singing in church, he glorified the ‘Russian land’ (the hymn to all the saints of Kazan – ed.), called the aggressor country his ‘fatherland’ and called on the faithful to pray for it.” The suspect posted a video of his sermon on his social media account.

Earlier, the SSU office in Zhytomyr region announced that it had served a suspicion in absentia on a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who, according to the special service, was the rector of one of the UOC churches near Berdichev. The SSU investigation accuses the priest of spreading the narratives of the aggressor state and justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.