Illegally Detained Protodeacon Released by Khmelnytskyi TRC
Public outcry credited for freeing UOC clergyman held after evening worship.
KHMELNYTSKYI, Ukraine — On June 13, 2025, Protodeacon Andriy (Arthur Mankevych) of St. Nicholas Cathedral was released after two days of unlawful detention by the Khmelnytskyi Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) in the Ozerna district. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s Khmelnytskyi Eparchy confirmed his release in a public statement.
Fr. Andriy was reportedly detained by TRC officers on June 11 around 7 p.m. while returning home from evening services. His release, the eparchy noted, followed widespread public concern and numerous calls to a hotline.
“The voice of the Orthodox community of Khmelnytskyi was heard,” the statement read. “Fr. Andriy returns home — to his family and children, and to his ministry.”
Expressing gratitude in a video, the clergyman thanked supporters: “Thank you to everyone who prayed, wrote, called, and stood by me – with word, deed, and heart.”
Earlier, UOJ reported on an UOC priest who is reportedly receiving pressure to sign a military contract.
