Berlin, November 7, 2025
Photo: Antiochenisch-Orthodoxe Metropolie von Mitteleuropa
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaac of Germany and Central Europe of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate has issued a statement calling on the faithful to pray for His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk, a persecuted hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who remains in pre-trial detention in Ukraine.
Met. Arseny was recently sentenced to another 60 days of pre-trial detention after being released for less than a day following a year and a half in custody. He faces charges related to statements allegedly denying Russia’s armed aggression and accusing the Ukrainian army of causing deaths and damage to church property in remarks made in 2022.
During recent court proceedings, the 71-year-old Metropolitan experienced a hypertensive crisis with blood pressure reaching 200 over 110 and had to be taken by ambulance. However, he was released from the hospital as supposedly healthy after a doctor was reportedly threatened with dismissal if he admitted Metropolitan Arseny.
In his statement, Metropolitan Isaac expressed his support for his brother hierarch:
It is with deep sorrow that I follow the fate of Metropolitan Arseny, my brother in episcopal service, who for so many years has served his people with love, humility, and selfless devotion.
His life’s path, especially during the difficult times of war, is a shining example of true pastoral love. He remained with his people, comforted the suffering, and helped those in need.
I pray sincerely to the Lord that He strengthen Metropolitan Arseny, heal him physically and spiritually, and that justice and mercy may soon be revealed in his case.
I ask all who hear or read these words to unite with me in prayer for his swift release, for his health, and for peace in the Church and in the land.
May the Lord Himself bring light into this dark situation and grant us all courage to stand for truth and for the love of Christ.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and 85 hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church appealed to President Zelensky on November 1 for Met. Arseny’s release, citing his poor health and his humanitarian work sheltering thousands of displaced Ukrainians and feeding over 5,000 people daily at Svyatogorsk Lavra since 2014.
However, the state again refused to hear the voice of the Church.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
