Slavyansk, Donetsk Province, Ukraine, July 29, 2025
Photo: svlavra.church.ua
His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk, a senior hierarch of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, continues to be held in detention even after his court-ordered custody period expired.
The 15-month imprisonment of the abbot of the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra has been marked by a series of legal irregularities and procedural violations. Most recently, on July 21, 2025, the previous detention order expired, yet Met. Arseny remains behind bars without a valid court ruling—the second time this has occurred during his incarceration, the Lavra reports.
The latest court proceedings have been characterized by what defense attorneys describe as systematic violations of legal procedure. Judge Tetyana Khaustova has faced multiple recusal motions from the defense team, who cite breaches of procedural equality and adversarial principles. When one such motion was considered by Deputy Chief Judge Ivan Falin, he proceeded despite acknowledging his own incompetence to hear the matter and without notifying defense counsel of the hearing.
During a July 21 session to consider extending Metropolitan Arseny's detention, the defense was again not properly notified. When the Metropolitan refused to proceed without his attorneys present, the court appointed a state defender who admitted she hadn’t reviewed the case materials and showed clear bias toward the prosecution’s position.
The harsh conditions of the proceeding became apparent when both Met. Arseny and his attorney fell ill during proceedings. The hierarch had been without food, water, medication, or fresh air for seven hours while participating in court sessions via video link from an unventilated detention facility room.
Met. Arseny has been detained since April 25, 2024, on fabricated charges. He is accused of allegedly revealing Ukrainian army positions to Russian forces through a September 2023 homily in which he mentioned a roadblock that was preventing pilgrims from reaching his monastery. The video of this sermon was only published days after the roadblock had already been removed.
Initially held for 60 days without possibility of bail, his detention has been repeatedly extended by courts rather than proceeding to trial. The hierarch has been forced to miss two Paschas while in custody.
According to the Union of Orthodox Journalists, the case reflects a deliberate campaign: “The order for the arrest of the abbot of Svyatogorsk Lavra came from the very ‘top.’ And if he’s released now, throwing him behind bars again will be much more problematic. That’s why they keep him in detention by any means necessary.”
The situation presents a stark contrast to Ukraine’s international image regarding religious freedom. While Ukrainian officials regularly present the country as a “beacon” of religious tolerance to international partners and send interfaith representatives to foreign conferences to tout religious freedom, one of the country’s most respected Orthodox hierarchs remains imprisoned without clear legal justification, write the UOJ.
The next court session is scheduled for Friday, August 1, with Judge Khaustova presiding. Meanwhile, Met. Arseny’s supporters continue to call for prayers for the imprisoned hierarch and the brotherhood of the Lavra.
You can support Met. Arseny’s legal defense via the following methods:
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PrivatBank 4149439029037565
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monobank 4441111032960886
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PayPal lazlavr@gmail.com
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CRYPTO USDT (TRC20) TDiLRouF8j5CNzfZf7hQuy2G1LAfayL61y
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