Metropolitan Meletiy Refutes Claims of Police Involvement in Attack

Metropolitan Meletiy after the attack. Photo: UOJ's Ukrainian branch (SPZh)

CHERNIVTSI, Ukraine — During a sermon on June 22, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna publicly denied reports that a police officer attacked him during the June 17 clashes over church property.

Detailing the incident, the hierarch said the assault was carried out by an unidentified man involved in the attempted church seizure, not law enforcement. “I saw an unfamiliar man… and he suddenly lunged at me, hit me, threw me down, and ran away,” he recounted.

Meletiy clarified that a nearby officer had actually tried to help him, but was mistakenly identified as the assailant by bystanders. He issued a public apology to the officer and urged media outlets to correct the misinformation.

The Metropolitan also thanked several police officers who later approached him to ask for forgiveness. 

“I want to thank those honest officers who approached me and said, ‘Forgive us, lift the burden of sin from us for simply standing there,’” he said, calling on the faithful to show forgiveness to officers caught in a difficult situation.

Previously, the UOJ’s Ukrainian branch (SPZh) mistakenly reported that, during the seizure in Chernivtsi, police officers had thrown Metropolitan Melitiy to the ground. The branch has extended apologies to law enforcement officers.

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