SBU reports searches in Oleksandriya and Kirovohrad Eparchies

The searches took place in the buildings of eparchial directorates, as well as "at the places of residence of the persons involved", reports the SBU's official website.

"According to the special service, individual representatives of this community are involved in the dissemination of ideas that infringe on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and incite religious hatred," the statement reads.

As reported, the search revealed correspondence between the Metropolitan of Kirovohrad and Novomirhorod with Patriarch Kirill and seized a large amount of anti-Ukrainian materials produced in Russia. According to the SBU, the texts allegedly contain indications of criminal offences under the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The report also said that the search seized a book by ROC priest Andrey Novikov, "The Russian Church on the Guard of Orthodoxy in the XXI Century" published in 2021. It is devoted to the analysis of the Phanar’s actions and its "privileges”. 

At the SBU’s initiative, all the seized materials were sent for expert analysis. 

As earlier reported, the National Police and the SBU inspected the Pochaiv Lavra.