One Year On: Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk Remains Imprisoned in Ukraine

Information and Education Department of UOC – OCP News Service – 27/04/2025

Kyiv – Ukraine: The one-year anniversary of the jailing of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk, the Abbot of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra, fell on Saturday, April 26, 2025. He was taken into custody on April 24, 2024, following searches at the Lavra by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the subsequent serving of a notice of suspicion. A decision by the Zhovtnevyi District Court of the City of Dnipro led to his imprisonment in a pre-trial detention center without the possibility of bail.

Metropolitan Arseniy was charged under part 2 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, accused of allegedly disseminating information about the relocation, movement, or location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) that could lead to their identification. This charge carries a potential sentence of up to eight years of imprisonment.

The accusations stem from words spoken by the Metropolitan in a sermon delivered on September 23, 2023. During the sermon, he reportedly asked for prayers for pilgrims who were allegedly prevented by police from reaching the Lavra for the Synaxis of the Monastic Fathers of Sviatohirsk. The sermon was later published on the monastery’s official YouTube channel. The investigation claims that in his address, Metropolitan Arseniy disclosed the locations of AFU checkpoints, thus revealing sensitive military information.

Since his initial detention in Dnipro, the Sloviansk City-Raion Court of Donetsk Oblast, where preparatory hearings for his case are being held, has repeatedly extended his pre-trial custody.

Numerous individuals and organizations have voiced their support for Metropolitan Arseniy. Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), publicly expressed his solidarity. Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem also conveyed his prayerful support to UOC hierarchs, including Metropolitan Arseniy. Letters of support and assurances of prayers have been sent by Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral (Serbian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra (Patriarchate of Jerusalem), and other hierarchs from Local Orthodox Churches, as well as believers from various countries.

In an official appeal, the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra described the chosen measure of restraint as “inhumane treatment of an admirable man, even more so, with feeble health.” They highlighted that Metropolitan Arseniy suffers from severe illnesses requiring constant medical attention that cannot be adequately provided in a pre-trial detention center. While eleven Ukrainian Members of Parliament offered to vouch for his release, and the defense repeatedly requested alternative measures of restraint, these appeals have been denied by the courts.

The conditions of Metropolitan Arseniy’s transfer to court hearings in Sloviansk before September 2024 were particularly harsh, involving lengthy journeys in cramped police vans without adequate food or water, even during extreme summer heat. Since September 2024, hearings have been conducted via video conference due to the increasing danger of travel through areas near hostilities.

The Sviatohirsk Lavra reports that the conditions of his custody remain difficult, with Metropolitan Arseniy largely confined, having to manage his own laundry and food preparation. They also noted periods of time last winter when the heating in his cell was not functioning. On March 27, 2025, the Sloviansk City-Raion Court extended his custody for an additional two years.

His continued detention has prevented Metropolitan Arseniy from participating in numerous significant church services, including the Paschal celebrations for the past two years and the recent commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of his abbacy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

Despite his absence, the Sviatohirsk Lavra maintains constant prayer for his release. The monastic brotherhood continuously reads akathists to the Mother of God, while nuns in affiliated sketes offer prayers to St. Nicholas and the Archistrategos Michael, as well as reading the Book of Psalms. Sobornal moliebens are held at the Lavra on the days of his court hearings, and prayers for Metropolitan Arseniy are offered in Orthodox parishes both in Ukraine and internationally.

The Sviatohirsk Lavra also shared excerpts of Metropolitan Arseniy’s words from various court sessions, where he emphasized his lifelong dedication to the unity of the Ukrainian people through the Church and highlighted the Lavra’s role as a unifying force, providing aid to people from across Ukraine and sheltering refugees during times of conflict. He stated that the charges against him were “not grounded” and expressed his commitment to living according to his conscience and the Gospel teachings on forgiveness and judgment.

Source:

OCP News Service