Abducted UOC Priest Released in Khmelnytskyi Region
Public pressure and prayer led to the release of an abducted Ukrainian Orthodox priest.
KHMELNYTSKYI, UKRAINE — On January 29, 2026, employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) released Archpriest Maksym Moskalchuk, rector of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) parish in the village of Redvyntsi, following his earlier abduction in Khmelnytskyi, according to the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.
The eparchy stated that Fr. Maksym’s release was made possible through the prayers of the faithful and the public attention drawn to his case by concerned citizens. Church representatives emphasized that the detention was illegal and expressed gratitude to all who helped secure his freedom.
After his release, Archpriest Maksym returned home and is resuming his pastoral duties. He is expected to continue celebrating divine services at several parishes where he serves as rector, restoring normal parish life after the incident.
The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy thanked believers for their solidarity and support, noting that public awareness played a decisive role in resolving the situation and ensuring the priest’s safe return to ministry.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Ukrainian priest was forcibly mobilized from the hospital despite health status.
