UOC Metropolitan appeals to Ukrainian security services over detention and beating of clergy

Vladimir, Volyn Province, Ukraine, January 16, 2026

Met. Vladimir of Vladimir-Volynsky. Photo: Vladimir-Volynsky Diocese Met. Vladimir of Vladimir-Volynsky. Photo: Vladimir-Volynsky Diocese His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Vladimir-Volynsky and Kovel has issued an appeal to the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine in the Volyn Province regarding the persecution of clergy and Church servants in his diocese.

The Metropolitan states that clergy from his diocese have been detained, with some ceasing communication afterward and their fate remaining unknown. He specifically cites an incident on January 14 in which a sexton of the Holy Dormition Cathedral was beaten and abducted near his home by unknown persons who identified themselves as representatives of law enforcement agencies.

Met. Vladimir calls on authorities to act according to their oath to the Ukrainian people and requests urgent intervention and restoration of justice.

Read the full text of his appeal:

APPEAL!!!

From Metropolitan Vladimir of Vladimir-Volynsky and Kovel to the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine in the Volyn Province

Dear brothers and sisters! Representatives of state law enforcement agencies!

As the ruling hierarch of the Vladimir-Volynsky Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, I address you with pain in my heart and deep concern for the fate of our clergy and faithful children of the Church.

Recently, the situation in our diocese has gone beyond the bounds of the legal framework and Christian morality. In addition to mass cases of forced detention of citizens, we are facing direct pressure on clergy and Church servants that borders on criminal activity.

Specifically, I must attest to the following:

  • Persecution of clergy: As of today, we have evidence of the detention of clergy from our diocese. Some of them, after such “measures,” have stopped communicating, and their fate remains unknown.

  • Act of violence against a Church servant: Particular outrage is caused by an incident that occurred yesterday, January 14. Near his own home, a sexton of the Holy Dormition Cathedral was cynically beaten and abducted by unknown persons (who identified themselves as representatives of law enforcement agencies). Such brutality toward a peaceful person who has dedicated his life to serving God is a challenge to all society.

The Church has always been and remains with its people, but it cannot remain silent when its faithful are beaten and abducted in broad daylight. The lawlessness that’s being committed today destroys the foundation of our statehood and gives the enemy grounds for accusing Ukraine of violating religious freedoms.

I call upon you to act in accordance with the oath you gave to the Ukrainian people. I await urgent intervention and the restoration of justice.

With deep respect and an appeal to conscience,

† VLADIMIR
Metropolitan of Vladimir-Volynsky and Kovel

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1/16/2026

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