A cleric of the Khust Diocese of the UOC, accused of smuggling citizens abroad, fell into schism and joined the OCU

Archpriest Theodore Holodniak, a cleric of the Khust Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was banned from priesthood. According to the decree signed on November 18, 2025, by Metropolitan Mark of Khust and Vynogradiv, the reason for this decision was a violation of the priestly oath, betrayal of the Church and falling into schism.

The official document, the text of which was published on the Facebook page of the diocese, states that the decision concerns a freelance cleric of the diocese. The decree comes into force on the day it is signed.

The text of the decree lists the following acts as grounds for the ban on the priesthood of Archpriest Theodore Holodniak: “violation of the priestly oath, oathbreaking, betrayal of the Holy Orthodox Church and falling into schism.”

It is noteworthy that a year ago, the said clergyman was accused of illegally transferring six Ukrainian citizens abroad for the purpose of obtaining illegal benefits. Nevertheless, on November 11, 2025, Holodniak was admitted to the Mukachevo-Carpathian Diocese of the OCU, headed by the notorious Viktor Bedem.

Earlier, it became known that the Security Service of Ukraine is investigating a large-scale scheme to facilitate mobilization evasion organized by representatives of the clergy of one of the dioceses of the OCU. According to the investigation, the head of the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese of the OCU, Kirill Mikhailuk, set up amechanism for issuing fictitious certificates of clergy rank to men liable formilitary service for a monetary reward, which allowed them to avoid being drafted into the army.