Ukrainian military recruiters seize Orthodox monk straight from his cell

Velyka Kalynivka, Khmelnitsky Province, Ukraine, May 26, 2026

Photo: Khmelnitsky Diocese Photo: Khmelnitsky Diocese     

The canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues to face challenges regarding military mobilization of its hierarchs, clergy, and monastics, as authorities refuse to provide the necessary exemptions from military service for clerics and monastics.

Most recently, Ukrainian military recruitment authorities seized a monk straight out of his monastic cell at St. John the Baptist Monastery in Velyka Kalynivka village, Khmelnitsky Province, according to a statement from the Khmelnitsky Diocese.

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 24, immediately after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Three employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center, accompanied by Oleshinska community head Valentina Bazilyuk and Khmelnitskyi police officer Vitaly Shlyakhovy, entered the monastery grounds, went up to the second floor of the monastic building, and removed Archimandrite Galaction (Redey) from his cell before taking him away in an unknown direction.

According to preliminary information, Fr. Galaction is now at a military unit in Chortkiv, Ternopil Province. Communication with him has been lost.

Fr. Galaction serves as spiritual father of the monastery, where he has been laboring for decades.

The diocese requests prayers for Archimandrite Galaction and appeals to people of goodwill to assist in his release and return to the monastery.

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5/26/2026

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