14 Metropolitans and Archbishop from the “Holy Synod” of the Russian Orthodox Church, “controlled by the Kremlin”, officially defeated by SBU
This photo taken and published by the Press Service of the Russian Orthodox Church, on January 7, 2025, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and the Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (left) participating in an Orthodox service at the Christ's Cathedral in Moscow. Photo: Oleg Varov / AFP / Profimedia
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officially accused 14 metropolitans and high -ranking archbishops within the Russian Orthodox Church for their involvement in the illegal confiscation of Ukrainian churches in the territories of Moscow, SBU announced on Tuesday, according to The Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian Agency in the field of Security accuses the 14 clergy of being part of the “Holy Synod” of the Russian Orthodox Church, “controlled by the Kremlin” during 2022-2024.
Acting under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill -a declared supporter of the war triggered by Russia against Ukraine -, they helped to orchestrate the forced takeover of religious communities, including those in the Zaporojie regions, Luhansk, Donetsk, Herson and the Crimea Peninsula, says SBU.
The bishops supervised the incorporation of Djankoi, Berdiesk, Rvenky and Herson diocese in the Russian Orthodox Church, replacing the local leadership with personalities named by Moscow who opened the war and promoted Kremlin's propaganda, says the Ukrainian agency.
All 14 suspects were accused, in accordance, of complicity in the efforts to modify the state borders of Ukraine, in violation of the country's constitution, carried out in coordination with other people and having serious consequences.
SBU also states that it continues their efforts to bring suspects to justice for their role in the crimes committed against Ukraine.
Patriarch Kirill was added, in December 2023, to the list of persons prosecuted by the Kiev authorities, under the charge of violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine, an offense that leads to a possible life sentence.
In August 2024, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted a law that prohibits the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church within the Patriarchate of Moscow, which has long kept links with the Russian Church. Many of the members of his clergy have been accused of having helped Russian forces or held the invasion on a large scale.
Most Ukrainian Orthodox Christians now belong to the Ukraine Orthodox Church, an independent body formed in 2019 and recognized as autonomous to Moscow, notes the Kiev publication.
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