Ex-cleric of Berdiansk: FSB people initiated a “letter” to the Patriarch

Broadcast with former cleric of the Berdiansk Diocese Fr. Dmitry Arabadzhi. Photo: screenshot from the YouTube channel "Joyful Deacon"

Former rector of the Kazan Church in the village of Akimovka, Dmitry Arabadzhi, who was compelled to leave the occupied territory, explained how the transition of the Berdiansk Diocese "under the direct management of Patriarch Kirill" actually took place. The video of the conversation between the priest and Archdeacon of the Odesa Diocese, Andriy Palchuk, was published on the YouTube channel "Joyful Deacon."

Father Dmitry said that literally on the same day when the "authorities" of the Russian Federation forced Metropolitan Ephraim of Berdiansk to leave his diocese, they started to convince the clergy to join the ROC.

"We received calls that in two days we should come to the deanery. Almost immediately, this work began to transfer the Berdiansk Diocese under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. They said that delegates would come who wanted to talk to us," the priest said.

According to him, two delegations were working, one of which traveled to the Northern deanery, the second to the Southern one. The delegation with which Fr. Dmitry communicated consisted of three people: the press secretary of the diocese and two people in civilian clothes. The first one was a priest of the Moscow Patriarchate, the second was an FSB employee.

"They hoped that we would all sign the 'appeal to the Patriarch,' which they brought with them, and that would be the end of it. But in fact, the meeting lasted more than three hours," the priest said.

He said that in the text of the appeal, written on behalf of the clergy of the diocese, Metropolitan Ephraim was condemned. In addition, the support by Metropolitan Onuphry of his people, humanitarian aid from the UOC to the Ukrainian army, etc. were condened too."

"We began to ask why there is no other letter to our Primate Metropolitan Onuphry. In response, they told us that there is no communication with him today. It was also condemned that the UOC decided to make myrrh on its own," said Fr. Dmitry.

According to him, the priest in civilian clothes from the patriarchate commented on this: "This was the last nail in the coffin of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

When the priests at the meeting told people from Moscow that they needed to familiarize the communities they represented with this text, they were told that "no one needs to know anything."

Fr. Dmitry said that out of 85 priests of the diocese, only 5 did not sign this appeal. Some later wanted to withdraw their signatures, but "it was already too late."

According to him, there were talks with delegates in a raised voice at three deaneries. In one case, the dean asked the FSB employee to leave the meeting. Delegates demanded that all the priests of the diocese no longer mention Metropolitan Onuphry during services.

The priest also stated that the text of the appeal, which was published on Moscow church resources, significantly differs from what was read at the diocese meetings.

"It was significantly shorter and much softer and more loyal. They presented themselves in a good light," said Fr. Dmitry.

Earlier, UOJ wrote that, according to a UOC priest, the "authorities" of the Russian Federation delivered an ultimatum to the Metropolitan of Berdiansk.

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