Large family UOC priest in Lutsk receives draft notice

Archpriest Ioan Pipash, rector of the St John the Theologian Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Lutsk. Photo: priest's Facebook page

The priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and father of three children, Archpriest Ioan Pipash, who serves as the rector of the St John the Theologian Church in Lutsk, received a draft notice from the territorial recruitment center.

The priest, known for his large family, shared on Facebook that he had been handed a notice from the territorial recruitment center responsible for conscription into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The clergyman mentioned that he had already undergone a medical examination at the local enlistment office. However, he noted that on the day of receiving the draft notice, a protocol was drawn up against him under Article 210 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses for violating the military registration rules.

"It is interesting that in their database, I am listed as a draft dodger who ignored the draft three times. However, they have never summoned me anywhere or handed me anything," he wrote in a comment to his post.

According to the priest, the draft notice was delivered to him "thanks" to the efforts of Lieutenant V. Panasiuk.

As reported by the UOJ, a 69-year-old rector of a UOC cathedral in Uzhhorod was also handed a military draft notice.

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