Deputy head of Kyiv region SBU fired over interference in church transfers
The deputy head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, has dismissed the deputy head of the SBU Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv Region, Yuriy Palahniuk, over interference in the transfer of UOC communities to the OCU, reports lb.ua.
On 7 September 2022, the SBU Directorate in Kyiv sent a letter signed by Yuriy Palahniuk to the Darnytsia district state administration, which said that the SBU sees "threats to national security" in the transfers of communities from the UOC to the OCU.
Yuriy Palahniuk also asked the Department of Culture of the Kyiv Regional State Administration to provide copies of protocols and statutes of the religious community "Parish of the Protection of the Mother of God of the Boryspil Eparchy of the UOC in the village of Trebukhiv in the Brovary district, Kiev region", which was illegally transferred to the OCU.
The SBU said that "these letters were sent on his own initiative and in no way represent the position of the service", adding that the acting head of the SBU made a personnel decision on Yuriy Palahniuk: it goes about his dismissal.
As earlier reported, the SBU said that the transfer of communities from the UOC to the OCU poses a threat to the country's national security.
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.