Two Monks Reportedly Abducted from Ukrainian Monastery

Hieromonk Arseny. Photo: Peschansky Monastery / Facebook

IZYUM, UKRAINE — The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) Monastery of the Peschan Icon of the Holy Mother of God reported the abduction of two of its monks following a raid by Ukrainian authorities on March 27.

According to the monastery, representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and a Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) entered the premises and detained Archimandrite Leonty and Hieromonk Arseny. The monastery stated that force was used during the incident and that both clerics were taken against their will.

The monastery later reported that the two monks were transferred to a recruitment center, where they are being held “under lock and key.” The incident has raised concern among the faithful, particularly amid ongoing tensions surrounding the treatment of clergy.

In response, the monastery called on believers to offer prayers for the detained monks and announced a temporary suspension of services.

Previously, the UOJ reported that OCF announced a Georgia pilgrimage led by Bishop Gerasim.

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