SBU reports results of search in four UOC eparchies
Search in UOC eparchies. Photo: facebook.com/ssu.zhytomyr
The SBU press service described the results of the search at the UOC facilities in Kherson, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions.
Thus, as a result of searches at the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Kherson, SBU officers "found a collection of icons stolen from the house of the Lithuanian Honorary Consul during the occupation of Kherson, passes issued to the ‘federal advisor to the military and civil administration of the Russian Federation’ and Russian passports of local priests".
"Criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 111 (high treason committed under martial law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine have been initiated on the exposed facts," the statement said.
The SBU officers "found a banner of Novorossiya and a library with propaganda literature by Russian authors" in the Krasnogorsk Holy Intercession Convent (UOC) in the Cherkasy Eparchy.
As a result of searches on the territory of the Kazan Icon Monastery and the Skete of Siluan of Athos in the Ovruch Eparchy, the SBU "exposed former criminals who maintain contacts with Russian subscribers. These contacts are now being checked by the SBU. In another monastery of the Zhytomyr region (Chopovychi Convent - Ed.) a person who has been on the national wanted list as missing since 2020 was found".
"During the prayers in the monasteries, they continued to remember both the aggressor country itself and the Russian media personalities who support the so-called SMO in Ukraine. This is evidenced by the prayer notes found by SBU officers. Law enforcers also found propaganda and religious literature 'approved' for use by the ROC MP and printed in Russia to propagate the 'correct' postulates of the 'true faith' to monks and nuns of the monasteries," the SBU added.
The SBU found "texts of prayers for the aggressor-country and Russian textbooks praising the Kremlin regime" in the St. Nicholas Myltsi Monastery of the Volyn Eparchy.
As earlier reported, the SBU is conducting searches in the monasteries of the Ovruch Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
Rep. Bacon: 'I Don't Think the UOC Takes Orders from Russia'
Earlier this week, the congressman rejected an opportunity for dialogue with members of the Society of St. John who visited his office despite them holding the same viewpoint.
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.