Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court

Metropolitan Jonathan in court. Photo: Press Service of the Tulchyn Eparchy

The former head of the Tulchyn Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletskykh), through his lawyer, filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court against a sentence imposing five years of imprisonment. This was reported by Glavcom, citing the court registry.

The Supreme Court requested the criminal case materials from the Vinnytsia City Court for the cassation review. To recall, on August 7, 2023, the Vinnytsia Court found the metropolitan guilty of four articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code: violation of citizens' equality, justification of Russian armed aggression, calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, and dissemination of materials calling for changes to Ukraine's borders.

Metropolitan Jonathan was sentenced to five years in prison with property confiscation. In June 2024, the Vinnytsia Appeals Court upheld this decision.

As reported by the UOJ, on June 22, 2024, at the request of Patriarch Kirill and following negotiations, Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav was released and transferred to Russia via exchange.

Read also

Pat. Bartholomew: It Is a ‘Grave Sin’ To Put Politics Before Church Unity

"Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin," the Ecumenical Patriarch said.

Procession Held in Honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia

On Nov. 1, clergy, Mother Paraskeva, and Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian faithful took part in a procession from the house of St. Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ to the Samtavro Monastery.

Hierarchs of UOC Appeal to Zelenskyy in Defense of Met. Arseny

The episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on Zelenskyy to stop the persecution of Met. Arseny and to ensure he receives medical treatment.

Moscow Synod Declares Day of Prayer Against Abortion

The Synod also revived the annual All-Moscow Cross Procession as a symbol of faith and unity.

Abp. John of Albania Meets with Pope Leo

Leaders discuss global peace, youth, and Christian cooperation at interfaith event.

Lawyer: The Health Condition of Met. Tychikos Remains Concerning

Met. Tychikos remains hospitalized in Athens.