Met. Arseniy Needs Urgent Heart Surgery
Metropolitan Arseniy (Yakovenko). Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra
DNIPRO, Ukraine — Met. Arseniy of Sviatohirsk, who has been imprisoned at the Dnipro pre-trial detention center since April of last year, is in need of heart surgery.
According to a release from the press service of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, which was also circulated by the press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), His Eminence experienced an aggravation of health conditions he was already suffering from on Sept. 30, 2025, and due to this aggravation was taken to a hospital in Dnipro.
There, a cardiologist expressed the need for heart surgery, as well as further comprehensive medical appointments.
During a regular court session on Oct. 1, 2025, Met. Arseniy reportedly felt ill. The defense successfully requested for the hearing to be postponed to a later date.
"In addition, it is noted that the measure of restraint for Vladyka in the form of keeping in custody expired on 29 September," the Lavra stated. "With regard thereto, the lawyers inform that Metropolitan Arseniy is kept at a pre-trial detention center in violation of the laws of Ukraine."
Previously, UOJ reported that the lawyers of Met. Arseniy had demanded the judge's recusal.
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.