The Metropolitan of the UOC-MP from Bukovina was told of the suspicion

The rector of the Holy Ascension Monastery of the Chernivtsi-Bukovina diocese of the UOC-MP is engaged in inciting inter-religious hatred. The Metropolitan was declared a suspect, the SBU reported on Monday, May 22.

“During the liturgies, he spoke badly about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling it the “church of the Antichrist” and “satanic.” In doing so, he offended the religious feelings of the believers and caused internal aggravation situation in the region,” the report said.

The SBU initiated a linguistic analysis, which confirmed the facts of the cleric’s criminal activities. He was informed of a suspicion under the article on the violation of the equality of citizens depending on their race, national, regional affiliation, religious belief, disability and other signs (part 1 of article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Currently, the issue of choosing a measure of restraint has been decided. The investigation is ongoing.

In this regard, the Chernivtsi-Bukovina diocese of the UOC confirmed that the police opened a case against the abbot of the Banchensky monastery, Metropolitan Longin (Mikhail Vasilyevich Zhar) and summoned him for questioning.

Earlier, the Cherkasy Metropolitan of the UOC was informed of the suspicion. He praised Russian priests who were helping the enemy and called for the “unification” of religious communities in the war against Ukraine.

And on April 1, the SBU reported the suspicion of the former rector of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel. The interception of his conversations was also done publicly. On the same day, the Shevchenko District Court of Kyiv sent the metropolitan under round-the-clock house arrest.