Hierarch of the Antioch Church spoke in defense of Metropolitan Arseny of Sviatogorsk

Metropolitan Isaac (Barakat) of Germany and Central Europe, hierarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, publicly expressed his support for Metropolitan Arseny of Sviatogorsk, who is under investigation. In his address, he emphasized the pastoral merits of Vladyka Arseny and called on the faithful to pray for his speedy release and healing.

According to the official website of the Sviatogorsk Lavra, on November 6, 2025, Metropolitan Isaac published an appeal in Arabic and German on the Facebook page of his Metropolitanate. The post was accompanied by a video that shows Metropolitan Arseniy struggling to climb the stairs outside the Cathedral Court in the city of Dnipro.

In his remarks, the hierarch of the Antiochian Church expressed deep sorrow over the fate of his colleague. «His life journey, especially in the difficult times of war, is a vivid example of true pastoral love. He stayed with his people, comforting those who were suffering, helping those in need and encouraging those in despair,» said Metropolitan Isaac.

Metropolitan Isaac urged the faithful to pray together for the health and release of the hierarch of the UOC. «I sincerely pray to God that He strengthens Metropolitan Arseniy, grants him physical and spiritual healing and soon reveals His justice and mercy in his case. I call on all who hear or read these words to join me in praying for his speedy release, for his health and for peace in the Church and in the country,» the appeal reads.

In addition, in the commentary to the publication was posted a translation into Arabic of the appeal of the hierarchs of the UOC to the President of Ukraine in defense of Metropolitan Arseniy.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the cleric of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church priest Vasil Vasilev made a public appeal in defense of the vicar of the Sviatogorsk Lavra Metropolitan Arseniy, calling for his immediate release. He also appealed to all Orthodox Christians around the world to intensify prayers for the imprisoned bishop.