Met Meletiy: Application for "Russian passport" was planted to me by SBU
Metropolitan Meletiy (Egorenko). Photo: the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy
Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna commented on all the "claims" made by the SBU, which were addressed to him.
In particular, the Bishop noted that he does not have a Russian passport.
"And here the question is not to me but to the SBU. If I applied for this passport in 2007, how could they have such a document? Are they collaborating with the aggressor? This application form is not filled out in my handwriting. The only thing I can identify is my signature and my photo," the UOC hierarch said.
"It is interesting that this scribble they planted on me (an application form for a Russian passport – Ed.), they put in the documents from St. Luke's Clinic. That is, fresh documents which I know very well, I know what is in them. And that there could never be this statement, which I do not even know who wrote," added Metropolitan Meletiy.
The head of the DECR UOC also said that around 1 o'clock on November 26, when the searches were still "in progress," he was finally allowed to see his lawyer, who showed him the report from the SBU press service with the results of the search.
"It said as if they had found a lot of anti-Ukrainian literature, my application for a Russian passport, 'my' medal for the 'liberation of Crimea'. Funny? It was funny to me too at first. Then they corrected themselves and said that it was on the computer of one of my assistants who had a sample of this medal, but there were biographies of some Russian heroes. What sane person could believe that in the eparchy’s computers we would collect heroes of Russia, military men who commit aggression against our country?" asks the bishop.
The Metropolitan noted that if dirty information continues to appear in the media, the faithful should remember that this is all the work of the service, which should take care of Ukraine's security.
As earlier reported, Metropolitan Meletiy said that SBU officers suggested he join the OCU in order to avoid further persecution.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.