DECR UOC head: I am accused of treason for caring about our refugees

Metropolitan Meletiy, head of the UOC Department for External Church Relations. Photo: the press service of the Chernivtsi Eparchy

After the liturgy at the Cathedral of Chernivtsi on Saturday, November 26, Metropolitan Meletiy, the head of the UOC Department for External Church Relations, told the community members about the charges that were brought against him during the search.

Vladyka Meletiy said that it is difficult to imagine a greater lawlessness than when law enforcement agencies start such domestic wars in times of war.

The UOC hierarch also said that the reason for the accusations against him was his letter to the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in Europe, in which he asked not to prevent the UOC from organizing parishes abroad to provide spiritual support to millions of Ukrainians who find themselves far from home.

"It was a private letter, and I don't know how the SBU and the media got access to this letter. I said to Metropolitan Anthony (head of the DECR UOC – Ed.), 'We understand your situation, you should understand ours, too. For these words I was charged with high treason," the Metropolitan said.

Vladyka added that this information is spread on purpose to sow confusion in society in order to accuse the Church of treason.

"I found out about all these accusations in the early hours of November 25, under special circumstances. At the same time, I was told that the secrecy of the investigation obliges me to keep quiet, but thanks to the SBU press service you all know that during the search they found "terrible compromising evidence" against me and the Church," added His Eminence.

Earlier, the SBU reported the results of searches in the Chernivtsi Eparchy.

As the UOJ wrote Metropolitan Meletiy said that the SBU suggested that he switch to the OCU to avoid further persecution.

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