TRC detains rector of UOC parish in Khvorostiv
Another case of forcible mobilization of a UOC cleric by the TRC occured on August 17, 2026. This time military recruitment officers detained Archimandrite Antoniy (Dzhezhela), rector of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the village of Khvorostiv, the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy reports.
The faithful and clergy of the eparchy know Fr Antoniy as a zealous pastor. The priest is deeply loved and sincerely respected by his parishioners and fellow clergy.
In response to the incident, the eparchial clergy and the parish community asked all Orthodox Christians to intensify their prayers for Fr Antoniy and for his swift return to his flock and priestly ministry.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a UOC priest who had gone missing after contact with the SBU had gotten in touch.
