European Orthodox Christians Launch Urgent Humanitarian Appeal for Metropolitan Arseniy

OCP News Service – 03/12/2025

Germany: A humanitarian petition, signed by over 1,186 Orthodox Christians across Europe within days, is urgently appealing to international bodies to intervene in the case of Metropolitan Arseniy, a senior bishop and Abbot of the Holy Assumption Sviatohirsk Lavra, currently held in pre-trial detention in Eastern Europe.

The appeal focuses on the cleric’s ongoing detention—which has lasted one and a half years—and serious concerns regarding his rapidly deteriorating health and legal rights.

Acute Health Threat and Judicial Concerns

The core of the petition highlights the acute health risk facing Metropolitan Arseniy, who suffers from a serious heart condition. Medical assessments have strongly recommended stationary treatment, further examinations, and potential surgery. However, the petition notes that these critical medical recommendations are reportedly going unfulfilled.

Further concern is raised over the conduct of lengthy court proceedings, during which the cleric allegedly has limited access to necessary medications, food, water, and fresh air.

The signatories also express alarm over judicial irregularities, including repeated prolongations of the detention term based on what they term “insufficiently substantiated charges.” The petition cites reports of the court reviewing detention prolongations without notifying the Metropolitan’s legal defense, raising “serious questions” about due process and legal fairness.

Call for Intervention to European Human Rights Organizations

The petitioners, uniting across Europe, emphasize that the issue transcends a single legal case, raising fundamental questions about human dignity, the rule of law, and religious freedom in a democratic society.

The appeal is being urgently directed toward European human rights organisations and high-level EU bodies, along with major international aid organizations. Petitioners are urging these groups to use their influence to ensure the Metropolitan receives immediate and adequate medical attention and a transparent legal process.

The statement reads: “We, Orthodox Christians, united by common faith and values, urgently ask you to thoroughly examine this situation and undertake immediate actions… to protect health and rights of a person who urgently needs help, fair and honest treatment, a person, whose life and health is seriously endangered.” Signatures continue to be collected, sending a clear signal that the appeal requires immediate attention and support.

Source:

OCP News Service