UOC Monastery Says Clergyman Taken Following Divine Liturgy

Photo: Archimandrite Galaktion (Redea). Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

KHMELNYTSKYI REGION, UKRAINE — The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has issued a statement alleging that Archimandrite Galaktion (Yuriy Fedorovych Redea), a resident and spiritual father of the St. John the Baptist Monastery in the village of Velyka Kalynivka, was taken from the monastery by representatives of Ukraine’s Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) on May 24.

According to the eparchy, the incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The statement claims that three TRC employees, accompanied by Oleshyn territorial community head Valentyna Bazyliuk and police officer Vitaliy Shliakhov, entered the monastery grounds, proceeded to the second floor of the monastic residence, and escorted the archimandrite from his cell. Church officials stated that he was then transported away from the monastery.

The eparchy reported that, according to preliminary information, Archimandrite Galaktion is currently located with a military unit in the city of Chortkiv in the Ternopil region. The statement said that no communication has been established with him since his removal from the monastery.

In its appeal, the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy called upon clergy and faithful to pray for the Archimandrite and asked “people of goodwill” to assist in securing his return. Church officials noted that Archimandrite Galaktion has served at the monastery for many years and has dedicated himself to prayer on behalf of Ukraine and its people.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC community marked its patronal feast despite the seizure of its church building.

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