Prayed for the Russian authorities and supported the aggressor: Security service reports suspicion of metropolitan

In September 2022, the head of the Romnya diocese of the UOC-MP left for Russia as a bishop via a European country. There, he participated in a public church service during which he prayed for the leadership of the aggressor country and Russian occupants, the SBU press service said.

During the service, together with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, he blessed the Russian military who are fighting against Ukraine. Also during the liturgy, the cleric praised Putin's decision to mobilise in the Russian Federation to replenish the occupation groups of the aggressor country," the report said.

According to the conclusion of experts, the above facts and statements of the metropolitan confirm public support for the Russian authorities, the state, the troops and the people. At the end of last year, the NSDC applied personal sanctions to him, according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine, terminating his Ukrainian citizenship.

Based on the collected evidence, the investigators of the Security Service informed the figure of suspicion under part 1 of article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification, recognition of lawfulness, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The suspect is currently wanted. The attacker faces imprisonment.

Earlier, Socportal reported that in Cherkasy Region, the SBU reported suspicion of a cleric of the UOC-MP who praised Russia's top military and political leadership and Putin personally.