Imprisoned Metropolitan Jonathan Released After Moscow Patriarchate Negotiations, Travels to Moscow for Treatment

DECR and OCP News Service – 23/06/2024

Kyiv – Ukraine: Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchin and Bratslav, a high-ranking cleric in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), has been released after months of imprisonment. The release comes following reported negotiations at the request of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Metropolitan Jonathan was detained in August 2023 on charges deemed “absurd” by the Moscow Patriarchate. These charges included attempts to overthrow the Ukrainian government and violate the country’s territorial integrity. The Patriarchate has consistently maintained that the Metropolitan is innocent and that the accusations were politically motivated.

Following his arrest, Metropolitan Jonathan remained under house arrest for several months before being sentenced to five years in prison with confiscation of property in August 2023. He also faced the loss of his Ukrainian citizenship.

While his appeal was ongoing, Metropolitan Jonathan suffered a stroke in March 2024 and was hospitalized. Despite this, the Vinnitsa Court of Appeal upheld the original sentence on June 18th, 2024.

The news of Metropolitan Jonathan’s release is met with relief by the Moscow Patriarchate. The Metropolitan is reportedly in need of medical treatment and rehabilitation and is expected to arrive in Moscow soon.

This case has drawn international attention and highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Ukrainian government. The release of Metropolitan Jonathan could be seen as a positive step towards easing these tensions. However, the details surrounding his release and the future of his case remain unclear.

Source:

OCP News Service