Court leaves persecuted Metropolitan Arseny languishing in detention for another two months

Slavyansk, Donetsk Province, Ukraine, May 27, 2025

Photo: Facebook Photo: Facebook His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk, a hierarch of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and abbot of the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra, has been held in detention for well over a year now, and he was just ordered to remain for another two months.

Held on phony charges, the hierarch was forced to miss the past two Paschas at his monastery.

He was initially detained last April, just before Holy Week. He is accused of supposedly revealing Ukrainian army positions to Russian troops via a homily from September 2023 in which he mentioned a roadblock checkpoint that was preventing pilgrims from reaching the monastery. Video of the homily was only published days later, after the roadblock had already been removed.

His initial detention was set for 60 days without the possibility of bail, but the court, rather than concluding his trial, has continually extended his detention. And with the Slovyansk City District Court’s ruling of May 23, he will now remain behind bars at least through the end of July, the Lavra reports.

Met. Arseny’s lawyers argue that the latest judgment represents a serious procedural violation: “The lawyers interpret the court’s decision to render judgment in the absence of four out of five of Metropolitan Arseny’s defense attorneys as a gross violation of the bishop’s right to legal representation. They are now preparing appeals to overturn the court’s ruling.”

Ten People’s Deputies of Ukraine have long expressed readiness to act as guarantor’s for Met. Arseny upon release, but the courts have continually ruled to keep him locked up.

Since Met. Arseny’s detention began, continuous prayers are being offered for him at the Lavra. The brotherhood maintains a 24-hour prayer vigil, reading akathists to the Mother of God before her wonderworking icon. Additionally, nuns from affiliated sketes read akathists to St. Nicholas and Archangel Michael, while others recite the Psalter. Special services are held in the Lavra’s cathedral on court hearing days, and prayers for Met. Arseny extend to Orthodox parishes throughout Ukraine and internationally.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 19.

You can support Met. Arseny’s legal defense via the following methods:

  • PrivatBank 4149439029037565

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  • PayPal lazlavr@gmail.com

  • CRYPTO USDT (TRC20) TDiLRouF8j5CNzfZf7hQuy2G1LAfayL61y

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5/27/2025

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